Direct Payments Consultation
The Health and Social Care Act 2008 extends the availability of direct payments to those people who lack the capacity to consent to their receipt.
In addition, the Department of Health is also reviewing the current exclusions to receiving direct payments for those subject to various provisions of mental health legislation. The DH hopes that these changes will ensure that previously marginalised groups are able to benefit from the flexibilities that direct payments now offer.
The consultation for the new direct payment regulations which reflect the changes described is open until 11 November 2008. Please follow this link for the consultation document, draft regulations and response template. The DH would be very interested to hear your opinions on the regulations and answers to the specific questions identified in the consultation document.