09 November 2001
Welsh Health and Social Services minister Jane Hutt announced that the principality would not follow the 'banding' system adopted in England, where the NHS pays a means-tested £35, £70 or £110 a week towards residents' nursing care. Instead, 2,400 self-funding residents will receive £100 a week for their nursing needs.
Help the Aged welcomed the decision, which takes effect on December 3. 'The Welsh executive is doing everything within its powers to make nursing care as free as possible, which is more than can be said in England. We want a situation like Scotland where both nursing and personal care is free.'
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