Health written question – answered at on 27 June 2005.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the change in the number of available long-term care residential places since 1997.
According to the latest United Kingdom market survey, published in September 2004 by the independent healthcare analysts Laing and Buisson (LB), the level of spare capacity in the care home sector has remained the same over the last three years, at around 10,000 places, despite a fall in the number of care home places. In March 2004, the national average occupancy rate was 92.1 per cent. in private sector care homes, 90.2 per cent, for care homes with nursing; 92.4 per cent, for other care homes.
The LB report shows a net loss of 10,800 care home places. However, the report shows demand has also fallen by about 10,000.
Our policy is that people should be supported to remain living in their own homes, wherever possible.
Yes0 people think so
No0 people think not
Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.