Old People's Homes (Hansard, 10 May 1995)

§ Rev. Martin Smyth
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information was available to him about alternative provision when he decided to close six old people's residential homes as announced on 21 April; if he will list the deficiencies in each of the homes and the estimated capital cost of rectifying these deficiencies; and what is the potential capacity in these homes and the per capita cost of maintaining residents. [23327]

§ Mr. Moss
When I announced my decision to endorse the proposal of trusts to close six residential homes for the elderly, I was aware that the following alternative provision existed in the areas:

700 statutory residential home places

3,799 independent residential and nursing home places

At the time of my decision there were approximately 345 vacancies in the statutory independent homes sector. The deficiencies in each of the homes, the estimated capital cost of rectifying these deficiencies, the potential capacity and the per capita cost of maintaining residents are as follows. SOUTH AND EAST BELFAST HSS TRUST James Dixon House Potential capacity = 41 Per capita cost 94–95 = £232.70 per week Deficiencies: The building is institutional in character. It has long corridors, the toilets are inappropriately positioned given the increasing frailty of residents, bedroom sizes are small and increasingly the registration and inspection unit has been seeking a commitment from the trust that double rooms be made into singles. The home requires substantial expenditure to modernise it and to bring it up to an acceptable minimum standard as set out in the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order. Capital expenditure cost = £345,000 Enter House Potential capacity = 49 Per capita cost 94–95 = £301.89 per week Deficiencies: The facility was built upon traditional lines with many institutional features including long corridors, double rooms and poorly located toilets. The home requires substantial expenditure to modernise it and to bring it up to an acceptable minimum standard as set out in the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order. Capital Expenditure Cost = £409,000 Marlborough House Potential Capacity = 27 Per Capita Cost 94–95 = £681.34 per week Deficiencies: It is a large old building which was converted six years ago to a home for elderly mentally infirm people. The building is functionally unsuitable for its task. It does not meet fire code standards. The home requires substantial expenditure to modernise it and to bring it up to an acceptable minimum standard as set out in the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order. Capital Expenditure Cost = £325,000 NORTH AND WEST BELFAST HSS TRUST Old See House Potential Capacity = 40 Per Capita Cost 94–95 = £285.87 per week Deficiencies: It was opened in 1977 and although some upgrading work has been carried out further extensive work is required. The home requires substantial expenditure to modernise it and to bring it up to an acceptable minimum standard as set out in the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order. 523W Capital Expenditure Cost = £280,000 Cairns House Potential Capacity = 40 Per Capita Cost 94–95 = £370.56 per week Deficiencies: Its location has limited accessibility. The home requires substantial expenditure to modernise it and to bring it up to an acceptable minimum standard as set out in the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order. Capital Expenditure Cost = £205,000 NORTH DOWN AND ARDS HSS TRUST The Banks Potential Capacity = 40 Per Capita Cost 94–95 = £621.86 per week Deficiencies: It requires upgrading work to be carried out to bring it up to fire and safety standards. The building provides double room facilities which would need to be converted to singles. The rooms are small and the corridors are long. The home requires substantial expenditure to modernise it and to bring it up to an acceptable minimum standard as set out in the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order. Capital Expenditure Cost = £600,000

§ Rev. Martin Smyth
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will indicate what criteria are used by health and social services trusts to admit elderly people to independent homes with financial support from the trusts. [23328]

§ Mr. Moss
People who are assessed as in need of care in a residential or nursing home with public financial support can, within certain reasonable criteria, choose which home they enter.
The criteria which trusts apply on behalf of Health and Social Services boards are as follows: the accommodation must be suitable for the assessed needs of the individual; the cost to the board should not be more than it would usually expect to pay for someone with the individual's assessed needs; the accommodation must be available; the person in charge of the home must be willing to provide accommodation subject to the board's usual terms and conditions for such accommodation.

§ Rev. Martin Smyth
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average full per capita cost to unit trusts in supporting elderly residents in independent homes. [23329]

§ Mr. Moss
The information required is not held centrally in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.