HC Deb 04 November 2002 vol 392 cc135-6W
Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average length of time was that an individual stayed in(a) residential care and (b) nursing care in England in the last 12 months. [77145]

Jacqui Smith

The personal social services research unit, in research commissioned by the Department, estimated that the average complete length of stay of older publicly funded residents of residential and nursing homes is around 30 months. These data can not be broken down into types of home. This survey was carried out in the winter of 1995–96.

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates his Department has made of the number of people who have had to sell their homes to pay for long-term care(a) over the last 12 months and (b) in each of the last five years. [77146]

Jacqui Smith

This information is not collected centrally. Through the introduction of the 12 weeks property disregard in April 2001 and the deferred payments scheme in October 2001, people have options to help them avoid having to sell their homes on admission to residential care.

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many residential nursing home beds were available in each social service area in England(a) at the latest available date, (b) in October 2001 and (c) in October 1997. [77147]

Jacqui Smith

Information on the number of registered nursing home beds is collated as at 31 March each year.

Data by health authority at 31 March 2001 have been placed in the Library. These data for 2001 were published in a Statistical Bulletin—'Community Care Statistics 2001—Residential Personal Social Services for Adults, England'. This publication is available on the Department's website at http://www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0129.htm.

Data by health authority at 31 March 1997 have been placed in the Library.

Data for 2002 are not yet available.