HC Deb 10 December 1986 vol 107 cc211-3W
Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to issue further guidance to

nationally and (b) for the county of Cleveland, during each of the past five years where (i) hypothermia was given as the reason for death and (ii) hypothermia was noted as a contributory factor resulting in death for each of the following age-bands: 0 to 2 years, 3 to 5 years, 6 to 16 years, 17 to 64 years and 65 years and over.

Mrs. Currie

The table shows at(a) the number of deaths in England and Wales, and for usual residents of the county of Cleveland, where hypothermia was assigned as the underlying cause of death. At (b) is given, for the same areas and age-groups, the number of deaths with any mention of hypothermia on the death certificate, irrespective of whether it did or did not appear as the underlying cause of death.

local authorities about the recommendations contained in the document enitled "Staying at Home—Helping Elderly People"; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

We and the Department of the Environment (DOE) held a series of meetings, and a seminar in March of this year, with health, social services and housing authorities and voluntary bodies to discuss how the recommendations could be taken forward by them. Further joint guidance to local authorities is now under consideration with DOE.

Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the cost of implementing each of the recommendations contained in the document "Staying at Home—Helping Elderly People".

Mrs. Currie

The recommendations set out broad principles for the planning of schemes to provide community support for elderly people rather than suggesting that services should be developed in a particular way. The report suggests that community care with innovatory schemes and a package of other support services costs less to public funds in all cases than hospital care and in nearly every case less than residential care or sheltered housing.

Forward to