hansard extracts lord black 3 july

7/27/2019 Hansard Extracts Lord Black 3 July

1/4

1

Lord Black of Brentwood: My Lords, I shall speak to Amendments 78E, 87K and 88J,

which are in my name. They raise the issue of companion animalsmostly cats, but dogs as

welland the positive role that they can play in the care of elderly, vulnerable and sick

people, whose welfare is at the heart of the Bill. I should declare an interest as president of

the Printing Charity, as it runs two homes providing sheltered accommodation and financial

support and care for people from the printing industry.

Amendment 78E includes the positive contribution of a companion animal to an individuals

well-being in the list of factors to which a local authority must have particular regard in

exercising its functions under Part 1. Amendment 87K includes identifying the role of

companion animals in the care and support of an individual when a local authority is

assessing their needs and those outcomes that an individual wishes to achieve in day-to-day

life. Finally, Amendment 88J deals with the issue of companion animals in regulations under

Clauses 9 and 10. Taken together, their purpose is to ensure that the benefit which companion

animals can provide to well-being, a subject not currently covered in the Bill, is not

overlooked by those implementing and interpreting it.

It is estimated that 25% of people over retirement age own one or more pets. For the elderly

and vulnerable, the companionship that cats and dogs can bring cannot be overstated.

Academic research over many years has documented this. One study by Brooks, Rogers and

others, published just last year, highlighted the emotional and practical impact that

companion animals offer. Noting that they provide unconditional support and love, as we all

know, the study concluded that,

the policy implications of this study suggest that pets might usefully feature alongside

consideration of the usual support systems associated with the management of long-term

conditions and in planning how needs might be ... creatively met.

That, of course, is precisely what this Bill is designed for and what these amendments are

crafted to deliver.

Cats in particular can help those who are vulnerable, through age or health, in three ways.

First, there is a powerful body of evidence about the contribution of cats to physical health.

According to one study published recently in theJournal of Vascular & Interventional

Neurologynot a magazine I look at frequently, but it is therethey contribute to a

reduction of fatal cardiovascular disease by around 30%.

Secondly, the ownership of a cat brings positive benefits to an individuals mental health.Research conducted in 2011 for Cats Protection and the Mental

3 July 2013 : Column 1268

Health Foundation among people with a mental health problem found that 76% of people

who owned a cat felt they could cope with everyday life much better as a result, and that 87%

said it had a positive impact on their well-being. Cats can be especially helpful for depression

during the winter perioda particularly important point since, as we now know, this goes on

for about nine months of the year. As the Cinnamon Trust, which works tirelessly to support

the elderly and their pets, summarises it:


2/4


3/4

3

due to health. Professional pet-sitting or feeding may be needed when an individual is

hospitalised and where there are no friends or family to help. Knowing that a pet is being

cared for can help encourage otherwise reluctant individuals to go into hospital for treatment

and relieve anxiety. Equally, in cases where a care assessment shows that a companion

animal would bring individual health benefits, money may be needed to help an individual

obtain a companion animal. There are many examples of such budget programmes in othercountriesmost notably, I think, in Australiawhere health and local authority budgets are

pooled to provide companion animal support programmes. This principle should be

embedded in regulation and statutory guidance for all relevant implementing bodies.

Most importantly of all, these amendments would ensure that the role of companion animals

is given proper recognition and protection through an individuals care journey. Some may be

too vulnerable or frail to request that their beloved pet is taken into account when their care is

planned. Others may need help or assistance in retaining their companion. Others still may

not be aware of how a cat or a dog could improve their quality of life, ease their loneliness or

help tackle a chronic disease. The amendments I have tabled would ensure that this happens

as a matter of routine and is not left to chance in the way that, tragically, too often happensnow.

Baroness Masham of Ilton: My Lords, today is bowel awareness day. I have been chairing a

reception for bowel care this afternoon. Two of the speakers had disabilities: one with multiple

sclerosis and one a tetraplegic, paralysed from the neck down. Both needed bowel care and they both

said that dignity and respect were so important. Amendment 78ZA should therefore be a must for the

Bill. There are many important amendments in this group, including those on well-being and

companion animals, which I support. Happiness is something we should all aim for.

Earl Howe: (Government response)

I turn to Amendments 78E, 87K and 88J, tabled by my noble friend Lord Black of

Brentwood. These amendments focus on the very important topic of pets. The Government

have considered this issue carefully since the amendment was tabled, and we believe that the

Care Bill already allows for the consideration of pets. First, Clause 1, the well-being clause,

provides that local authorities, when exercising any function under Part 1 of the Bill, have a

duty to promote the well-being of an individual. Well-being is composed of many aspects,

including emotional well-being. A pet might be so important to an individual that their

emotional well-being would depend in some way on their pet. If that is the case, a local

authority will have to take it into consideration.

Furthermore, Clause 1(3)(b) sets out that in exercising any function under Part 1 of the Care

Bill a local authority must have regard to an individuals views, wishes, and feelings. This

could include how an individual feels about a pet, and their wishes for the pet. Clause 9,

which covers the assessment of needs for care and support, also allows scope for pets to be

taken into consideration in the assessment process. As Clause 9(4)(a) sets out, a needs

assessment must take into consideration a persons well-being. This could certainly include

an individuals pet, from which they derive a lot of emotional well-being.

To return to my noble friend Lord Blacks amendment on companion animals, we are clear

that there should not be any limitations on the uses of direct payments, which was an issue


4/4

4

that he raised, as long as they are used to meet needs for which they are paid and not in a way

that is unlawful. The key is that direct payments are used to improve peoples outcomes.

I understand the intentions of noble Lords in tabling these amendments but I hope that they

feel reassured that they are not necessary.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (opposition health spokesperson in the Lords)

The noble Lord, Lord Black, made some wholly persuasive arguments. My noble friend Lady

Wheeler reminded me that Canine Partnerships is another organisation that is very much

involved in pet companions for people with stroke, epilepsy and other illnesses. I myself have

come across organisations in Birmingham in connection with the health service that do a

fantastic job. All I would say is that if the noble Lord put this to a vote, the Opposition would

be right behind him, so let us see. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.

Amendment 78 withdrawn.

Amendment 78ZA not moved.

Amendments 78A and 78B not moved.

House resumed. Committee to begin again not before 8.50 pm.

hansard extracts lord black 3 july

Documents