§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps the Government are taking to ascertain how many elderly people who are at present in institutions under the care of the health authorities, could be helped by the proposals contained in the consultative document "Care in the Community".
§ Sir George YoungAbout 36,000 long-stay hospital beds are used by elderly people. The consultative document explains why it is not possible to provide overall figures for the numbers of elderly people occupying such beds who might be more appropriately cared for in the community. Local service patterns and the need for careful assessment of individual cases will play an important part in determining the scope for action in particular areas, but the Government are concerned that elderly people, no less than other groups, should benefit from action arising from this consultation. They hope that health and local authorities will work together to devise appropriate transfer schemes.