RESIDENTIAL AND NURSING CARE

Early day motion 344, tabled 1 November 2001 by Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 31 members.

That this House welcomes the campaign launched by the Norfolk Independent Care Homes organisation which is aimed at highlighting the growing crisis in residential and nursing care; notes the significant loss of beds in nursing homes and residential care homes as a result of owners concluding that with current fee levels and increasing costs there is no viable future; recognises that this is likely to cause even more severe bed-blocking in acute hospitals and the potential for a severe shortage of places for some of the most vulnerable elderly people; and accordingly calls on the Government to review current funding levels, particularly in the light of the proposed new care standards which will increase costs still further.

Signatures by party: Labour 19, Liberal Democrat 12.