§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned on the need for more residential care places for people below pensionable age. [147216]
§ Dr. LadymanIt is up to local councils to determine the range of care options, including residential care places for people below pensionable age, that are needed locally. This information should then inform their commissioning strategies and decisions.
The vast majority of people prefer to receive care at home rather than enter residential care.
§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many residential care homes cater for people only below pensionable age; and how many places this represents in total. [147217]
§ Dr. LadymanThe number of residential care homes catering primarily for 18 to 64-year-olds in 2001 was 11,400 and the number of places was 81,100. This represents 24 per cent. of all places in residential care homes.
Figures for later years have been collected by the National Care Standards Commission, but comparable details are not available.