§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how his figure for self-financing residents of nursing homes in England and Wales was arrived at. [8333]
§ Jacqui SmithI apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 192W.
The Department of health conducted a survey of nursing homes, via health authorities' registration departments, in June and July of last year to establish the number and location of those paying their nursing home fees from their own resources (self funders). The results of the survey are available on the Department's website 528W at www.doh.gov.uk/jointunit/freenursingcare/index.htm. A total of 42,700 self-funders were identified through this survey.