§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were waiting to leave hospital who were delayed by lack of availability of social services beds in(a) September 2001, (b) October 2001, (c) November 2001 and (d) December 2001 broken down by local authority; and if he will make a statement. [28335]
§ Jacqui SmithInformation is collected centrally on a quarterly basis and is collected on the basis of health authority. Reasons for delay are collected on the basis of "awaiting public funding" and "awaiting care home placement". The second group includes those who are not social services' responsibility. The information available for September 2001 has been placed in the Library—the information for December 2001 is not yet available.
In October 2001 we announced the investment of an additional £300 million over this year and next as part of a radical 'cash for change' programme. This funding has gone to councils to enable them to reduce delayed discharges and targeted on the areas with the most severe problems. We are already seeing reductions in delayed discharge as a result of the funding.