August 1970

Department for Health and Social Security (DHSS) says needs are to be determined by resources.

What: The first circular from the Department for Health and Social Security (DHSS) stated that criteria of need was to be determined in light of resources (DHSS, 1970). 

Why significant: This issue was not settled until 1997. In 1997 Law Lords in R v Gloucestershire CC, ex parte Barry ruled that local authority (LA) resources were to be taken into account when making assessments, however if an LA had identified a need, then a lack of resources was not a sufficient reason to not provide the service required.