§ Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many homes for the elderly in the Sheffield area have now been authorised by him in the current programme; if he will list them, indicating the number they can accommodate, the estimated capital cost, and the approximate date of completion; and what are his long-term proposals in this matter.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyThe current local authority programme is:
§ Dr. John DunwoodyI regret that information is not readily available in the form asked for. There are 808 residents of 65 years and over in places provided by the local authority—including some in the homes of other local authorities and in registered voluntary homes; and approximately 190 other places are available in Sheffield in voluntary and private homes registered with the local authority. The first figure gives a ratio of approximately 11.4 places per 1,000 population aged 65 years and over. The comparable national figure is estimated to be 18.2; approximate ratios for other cities are:
Birmingham … … … 19.3 Leeds … … … 22.7 Liverpool … … … 18.5 Manchester … … … 27.9
§ Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of elderly people on waiting lists for residential homes for the elderly, which are recognised and supervised, in the Sheffield area; if he will express this 27W as per 1,000 people over 65 years of age; and how the figure compares with that for other cities and the national average.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyI understand that the local welfare authority has 1,089 outstanding applications for admission to residential homes for the elderly of which it regards 379 as urgent. Expressed as ratios these figures are respectively about 15.3 and 5.3 per 1,000 of the population aged 65 and over. I regret that national figures are not available, but waiting lists are not necessarily a reliable measure of need.