§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on geriatric care in each year since 1992(a) nationally and (b) in the west midlands; and what was the percentage change from the previous year in each case. [10247]
§ Mr. BurnsThe figures given are for the money spent on the specialty of geriatric care within the national health service—the definition of which is care which is led by a consultant geriatrician. The figures reflect the shift in expenditure from acute-based care which is defined under the term geriatric care towards care provided in community-based settings.
Total NHS expenditure on persons 65 and over is far higher than the expenditure on the narrow geriatric care definition and includes significant proportions of expenditure for the elderly mentally ill and other community services. In 1992–93 we estimate that spending on persons over 65 accounted for some £8,530 million rising to £9,190 million in 1994–95. This accounts for some 42 per cent. of hospital and community health services expenditure, even though people over 65 account for only 16 per cent. of the population.
NHS trust expenditure on geriatric care in England and west midlands region in each year since 1992 is as follows: England West Midlands Financial year Spend £000 Percentage change from previous year Spend £000 Percentage change from previous year 1992–93 1,531,258 3.8 149,423 13.8 1993–94 1,493,311 -2.5 150,537 0.8 1994–95 1,422,867 -4.7 135,994 -9.7 1995–96 1,365,688 -4.0 122,564 -9.9 Notes:
1. 1995–96 information is provisional.
2. Expenditure on geriatric care is for the consultant specialty of geriatrics (in and out patient) and geriatric day care only.
Source:
1. The annual financial returns of NHS trusts.
2. The annual financial returns of the directly managed units of health authorities.
3. The annual financial returns of the special health authorities of the London postgraduate teaching hospitals.