§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the cost of the registered nursing care contribution in(a) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04, (c) 2004–05 and (d) 2005–06. [152814]
§ Dr. LadymanThe additional allocations for national health service funded nursing care in 2002–03 and 2003–04 were £220 million and £584 million. The proposed allocations for 2004–05 and 2005–06 are £582 million and £584 million respectively. The figure for 2002–03 relates to self-funding residents only, and the other figures relate to all eligible care home residents, including those previously supported by local councils. It is for primary care trusts to manage their obligations effectively, within the total resources available.