HC Deb 13 June 1986 vol 99 cc368-9W
Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the present number of persons resident in homes subject to the Registered Homes Act 1984 in (a) the private sector and (b) the public sector; and how many persons the Government estimate will be in these homes in (i) three years' time, (ii) five years' time and (iii) 10 years' time;

(2) what was the level of Government expenditure on homes subject to the Registered Homes Act 1984 in (a) the private sector and (b) the public sector in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985;

(3) what number of homes subject to the Registered Homes Act 1984 in (a) the private sector and (b) the public sector had their licences withdrawn, and for what reasons, in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985;

(4) what representations he has received regarding patient care in homes subject to the Registered Homes Act 1984.

Mr. Whitney

The Registered Homes Act 1984 applies only to voluntary and privately run residential care homes and nursing homes; it does not apply to homes in the public sector.

The number of people or places in England in registered residential care homes at 31 March 1985 and of beds in nursing homes at 31 December 1984 was as follows:

Numbers
Residential care homes for elderly and younger disabled people 98,758 residents
Residential care homes for people with mental disorders 10,146 places
Nursing homes 42,898 beds

It is not practicable to estimate how many people will be in homes in the future.

Expenditure by health and local authorities in England under contractual arrangements for the care of people in these homes and payments of supplementary benefit board and lodging allowances in Great Britain to people in them has been as follows:

Supplementary Benefit Board and Lodging
Health Authorities £ million Local Authorities £ million Allowances £ million
1979–80 23 59 1979 10
1980–81 29 72 1980 18
1981–82 32 84 1981 23
1982–83 34 96 1982 39
1983–84 35 104 1983 105
1984–85 40 1984 *190
1985–86 1985
*Estimate
† Not available

For information about registrations withdrawn I refer the hon. Member to my replies to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing) on 6 May at column 76 and on 15 May at column 532. The reasons for registrations being withdrawn ranged from unfitness to run a home to inadequate accommodation, staffing, services or facilities. A few representations have been received about the standard of care in these homes. The two-year study which the Department's Social Services Inspectorate is carrying out into the effects of the new legislation will consider the impact of the changes on the quality of care provided in the homes. A report is expected around the turn of the year.