§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the change in the number of home visits to elderly people by health visitors from 1979 to 1982.
§ Mr. John PattenThe total number of home visits undertaken by health visitors to persons aged 65 and over in England fell from 1,449,200 in 1979 to 1,357,900 in 1982—a decrease of about 6 per cent. Over the same period the total number of visits by health visitors to persons of all ages rose from 11,431,700 to 12,776,200, an increase of about 12 per cent. This reflects the policy of many health authorities—and many health visitors—to give priority to their work with younger age groups and particularly families with young children. Over the same period, the number of persons aged 65 and over treated by district nurses rose about 13 per cent. from 1,313,900 to 1,489,100.