FINANCING CARE HOMES

Early day motion 270, tabled 11 December 2003 by Austin Mitchell (Labour). Signed by 175 members.

That this House notes with concern the funding problems of the independent care sector in England which are leading to an estimated loss of over a thousand care home beds each month, to cost cutting, to inadequate staffing because rates of pay are not suitable to attract and hold qualified staff or offer them appropriate career paths to develop their skills, and which are also leading to the closure of homes with consequent disturbance to the residents and an inability to assure the elderly that they will have stability and that their care needs will be met appropriately in the home of their choice; believes that this problem arises because of the variations and inadequacy of fee levels offered by local authorities which are not adequate to finance proper care; and further believes that the time has come for an independent inquiry into the financing of this sector to analyse the problems, to look at experience overseas and in Scotland and to define the levels of funding appropriate to maintaining proper standards, employing qualified and stable staff, developing their skills and training and providing homes and staff with a secure future in a healthy sector which can fulfil society's responsibilities to our older citizens.

Signatures by party: Labour 91, Conservative 39, Liberal Democrat 34, Labour/Co-operative 8, Independent 1, Independent Conservative 1, UUP 1.