Bed Blocking (Lancashire)

HC Deb 16 July 2002 vol 389 cc204-5W

Mr. Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his plans to tackle bed blocking in Lancashire. [48596]

Jacqui Smith

In 2001–02, the Government allocated in excess of £2 million to the three social services departments, Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and

Blackpool, in the form of the Building Care Capacity Grant to reduce delayed transfers of care. In 2002–03, these authorities will receive £4 million. In addition, they will receive more than £1.75 million from the performance fund towards improvements in intermediate care. Delayed transfer numbers in Lancashire are among the lowest in the country.