§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) care homes have been closed and (b) care beds have been lost in each year since 1997 in the Darlington constituency. [53327]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 29 April 2002]: Information on care homes and places is not available at constituency level. The available information presented in the table shows the number of registered care homes and places in the Durham area at 31 March each year.
Residential and nursing care homes and places in Durham area at 31 March Residential care homes1 Nursing care homes, hospitals and clinics2.3 Homes Places Homes Places 1997 318 4,469 114 4,597 1998 289 4,544 123 4,537 1999 284 4,801 118 4,230 2000 325 4,978 104 3,675 2001 314 5,082 101 3,251 1 Information for 1997 is presented for Durham county council, and following local government re-organisation, information for 1998 onwards is presented for the remaining part of Durham county council and Darlington unitary authority. 2 Information is presented for County Durham and Darlington health authority. 3 Information for 1997 relates to the period 1 October 1996 to 31 March 1997. Source:
Department of Health annual returns