§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the average cost of four years' care in a nursing home. [75527]
§ Mr. HuttonThe average cost of four years' care in a nursing home for elderly people is estimated to be £73,000.
§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of(a) those people who have been in long-term care or nursing homes for four years or more and (b) all people in long-term care or nursing homes continue to pay part or all of their fees. [75528]
§ Mr. HuttonInformation is not collected in the form requested, but we estimate that about 9 per cent. of people in nursing homes make no contribution to the cost of their care as they have been placed by the National Health Service. All others contribute in part or in full.