§ Sir Michael ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the statutory responsibilities to the social services departments of local authorities in respect of the provision of permanent residential care for those individuals who have exhausted their savings paying for private residential care. [8802]
§ Mr. BowisSince April 1993 local authorities have had a responsibility to arrange accommodation in residential care and nursing homes for elderly people who, for whatever reason, are assessed as needing such care but are unable to meet the cost.
Elderly people who entered independent sector homes before April 1993 will have preserved rights to the higher rates of income support and are the statutory responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security. If they face eviction from a residential care home, local social service authorities have powers to make alternative arrangements.
Regulations and guidance were issued to local authorities and health authorities in March 1993 detailing their powers to help people who were resident in independent sector residential care and nursing homes on 31 March 1993 and who have preserved rights to the higher levels of income support. Copies of circular LAC(93)6 are available in the Library.
Total weekly death registrations of those age 60 and over by health region of residence, November and December 1995 Weekly death registrations. Week ending: Health region of residence 3 November 1995 10 November 1995 17 November 1995 24 November 1995 1 December 1995 8 December 1995 15 December 1995 22 December 1995 29 December 1995 Northern 561 545 579 614 592 575 624 739 673 Yorkshire 682 717 688 742 783 806 821 896 907 Trent 841 896 860 948 936 1,030 1,028 1,066 1,036 East Anglia 478 504 475 532 514 542 585 669 551 North-west Thames 442 449 481 478 503 527 531 578 467 North-east Thames 588 613 659 682 633 704 775 767 724 South-east Thames 685 705 762 751 723 723 920 990 742 South-west Thames 494 547 583 565 532 635 692 713 598 Wessex 588 665 692 648 686 607 692 788 737 Oxford 402 351 352 423 483 428 454 524 519 South Western 727 658 700 711 797 741 823 928 817 West Midlands 950 984 949 1,123 1,126 1,120 1,309 1,236 1,011 Mersey 394 457 456 475 547 504 582 598 591