HC Deb 22 July 2002 vol 389 cc872-3W
Mr. Wiggin

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many elderly care homes were(a) publicly and (b) privately funded in the last five years, broken down by region. [68526]

Jacqui Smith

Local authority staffed care homes are entirely funded by local authority social services while independent care homes are partially funded by social services through fees towards supported residents. Table 1 shows the number of residential local authority staffed homes and Table 2 the number of independent residential and nursing care homes for older people by national health service region from 1997 to 2001 at 31 March each year.

Table 1: Number of local authority staffed residential care homes for older1 people from 1997 to 2001
NHS regions 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Eastern 160 160 140 130 120
London 160 160 140 130 110
North West 220 220 220 200 190
Northern and Yorkshire 250 240 220 220 210
South East 250 210 200 190 180
South West 120 120 120 110 100
Trent 190 170 160 160 150
West Midlands 140 200 160 140 140
Total 1,500 1,470 1,360 1,270 1,190
1 Includes local authority staffed care homes for older mentally infirm people.

Notes:

1. Figures at 31 March each year.

2. All figures are rounded numbers.

Source:

Department of Health's annual returns.

Table 2: Number of independent residential and nursing1 care homes for older2 people from 1997 to 2001
NHS regions 19973 1998 1999 2000 2001
Eastern 1,510 1,550 1,540 1.490 1,470
London 1,290 1,350 1,340 1,310 1,300
North West 2,720 2,920 2,900 2,840 2,700
Northern and Yorkshire 2,190 2,370 2,340 2,310 2,200
South East 3,630 3,720 3.640 3,430 3,170
South West 3,500 3,120 3,000 2.790 2,680
Trent 1,980 3,030 2,070 2,020 1,950
West Midlands 1,890 1,870 1,820 1,740 1,690
Total 18,700 18,910 18,650 17,910 17,160
1 Includes private hospitals and clinics.
2 Includes independent residential care homes for older mentally infinn people.
3 Information on nursing beds relates to registered beds during the period 1 October 1996 to 31 March 1997.

Notes:

1. Figures at 31 March each year.

2. All figures are rounded numbers.

Source:

Department of Health's annual returns.