Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the projected admissions to residential and nursing homes in the various districts of the Eastern health and social services board for the years 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyThe information requested is not available. In Northern Ireland as a whole, based on the numbers used in the calculation of the sum transferred from the social security system to the health and personal social services budget, it was estimated that in each of the years in question the number of claimants expected to enter independent homes would grow by 2,135 per annum. From 1 April 1993, the number of actual admissions to residential and nursing home care will be determined by the outcome of the assessment of need which boards will be required to carry out on individuals.
Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the number of people in care in independent homes in the area of the Northern Ireland Eastern health and social services board on which the budget for community care will be calculated from 1 April; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyThe projected number of people in independent care homes in the Eastern board area at 1 April is not available. However, the number of people expected to enter independent homes in Northern Ireland as a whole under the previous arrangements was projected to grow by 2,135 per annum. In 1993–94, £29.5 million, including £24.63 million transferred from social security, has been allocated to the four boards in Northern Ireland on the basis of the capitation formula giving the Eastern board additional community care resources of £12 million. The deployment of these funds together with the existing community care resources is for the board to take forward through its purchasing plans.
Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in care in independent homes in the area of the Northern Ireland Eastern health and social services board will qualify for preserved rights under the community care reforms.
§ Mr. HanleyAll those in care in independent homes in the Eastern health and social services board area on 31 March 1993 have a preserved right to claim the higher rates of income support under the community care reforms.
Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were recorded as in care in independent homes in Northern Ireland by the Eastern health and social services board on 31 March.
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§ Mr. HanleyA provisional total of 5,932 beds were available in independent homes in the Eastern board area at 31 March 1993. It is not known how many of these beds were occupied. Prior to 1 April the majority of residents made private arrangements for admission to these homes and the Eastern board does not have a record of their numbers.
Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what system was used to obtain the projected number of people in care in independent sector homes in the area of the Eastern health and social services board as at 1 April; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyProjections of the number of people in care in independent sector homes were made for the purposes of the transfer of resources from social security and therefore reflected numbers of demands in social security districts and not individual board areas. These projections were derived from numbers collected from two surveys of all income support claimants and updated by computerised scans of resident numbers in independent homes. Projections do not include residents who were not relying on income support for help with the cost of their accommodation.
Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what department will make the necessary assessments under the community care reforms for people applying for residential and nursing home care in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. HanleyHealth and social services boards, through their units of management, are responsible for carrying out an assessment of need for any individual living within their area who requires community care services, including residential care and nursing home accommodation.