§ Mr. SwireTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the change in the number of care home beds in the North and East Devon health authority since 1997. [43626]
442W
§ Ms BlearsInformation on the number of nursing care beds in the North and East Devon health authority since 1997 at 31 March each year is shown in the table.
Nursing care beds in North and East Devon Health Authority.
Year (as at 31 March) Nursing care beds1 19972 2,620 1998 2,410 1999 2,280 2000 2,080 2001 2,020 1Includes beds in private hospitals and clinics. 2Relates to the period 1 October 1996 to 31 March 1997. Note:
Numbers are rounded
Source:
Department of Health's annual returns.
The Department has allocated an additional £1,082,000 in 2001–02 and £2,270,000 in 2002–03 to Devon county council to assist in stabilising and maintaining capacity in the care home sector.
Further information on the number of residential and nursing care home beds in residential and nursing care homes is available in the statistical bulletin "Community Care Statistics 2001: Residential Personal Social Services for Adults, England" available at http://www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0129.htm.