§ 19. Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his Department's latest estimate of the cost of providing care in the community in place of long stay hospitals.
§ Mr. John PattenThe cost of providing care in the community for people moving out of long-stay hospitals can vary considerably depending on individual needs and the service developments required locally to meet those needs. The Department cannot therefore make a meaningful estimate of such costs or how they may compare with costs in long-stay hospitals.