Publication of “Statistics on Community Care for Adults in NI 2017 - 2018”

The Department of Health has today published the “Statistics on Community Care for Adults in NI 2017 - 2018” statistical bulletin.

The publication reports on activity data analysed by HSC Trust.  It also includes trend analysis over the past five years. 

Key Facts and Figures:

Key Findings

Contacts with HSC Trusts

• Between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2018, 29,228 persons in the Elderly Care, Learning Disability and Physical & Sensory Disability POC’s were in contact with HSC Trusts.
• Over a third of the 29,228 contacts with HSC Trusts were by persons in the Elderly Care POC (36%), almost a third were by persons in the Physical & Sensory Disability (31%) POC and a third were by persons in the Learning Disability (33%) POC.
• Of those persons in contact with HSC Trusts whose age was known (29,228), 11,065 (38%) were aged 65 and over.

Care Packages in Effect

• At 30 June 2018, 11,781 residential and nursing home care packages were in effect, a decrease of <1% since 30 June 2017. 
• Of the 11,781 care packages in effect, over two thirds (70%) were nursing home care packages and under one third (30%) were residential care packages.  
• Over four fifths (81%) of care packages were in effect in the Elderly Care POC.
• The vast majority (92%) of residential and nursing home care packages were provided by the private sector.  The voluntary and statutory sectors provided much smaller proportions of residential and nursing home care packages (both 4%).

^{_{Note: Contacts for Physically Disabled (General Classes) for Belfast have been imputed.}}

Meals on Wheels Services

• At 31 March 2018, 1,575 persons were in receipt of meals on wheels services.  This was 271 (15%) less than the number in receipt at the end of the previous year and 1,526 (49%) less than the number in receipt four years ago.
• Over nine in ten (92%) persons receiving a meals on wheels service were aged 65 and over. This comprised of 12% aged 65 - 74, 28% aged 75 - 84 and 52% aged 85 & over. 

Residential & Nursing Accommodation

• At 30 June 2018, there were 4,263 residential beds available.  This was a (19%) decrease from the number of residential beds available at 30 June 2017 (5,238).
• While Northern HSC Trust showed the largest decrease in available residential beds since 2016/17 (-395), Western HSC Trust showed proportionally the greatest drop in residential bed numbers (-30%).
• At 30 June 2018, there were 11,134 available nursing care beds. This was a small (4%) increase from the number of nursing care beds available at 30 June 2017 (10,700).

• Belfast HSC Trust showed the largest increase (149, 8%) in available nursing beds since 2016/17.

Day Care Registrations

• At 31 March 2018, 6,961 persons were registered at statutory day care facilities.  This was 212 (3%) less than the number registered at the end of the previous year and 664 (9%) less than the number registered four years ago.
• Of those persons registered at statutory day care facilities whose age was known (6,304), three fifths (59%) were aged under 65 and two fifths (41%) were aged 65 and over.
• Of those persons registered at statutory day care facilities whose POC was known (6,863), almost half (44%) had a learning disability while a small proportion (3%) had no material disablement.

^{Note: Age breakdown figures for South Eastern HSC Trust Meals on Wheels have been imputed.}

^{Note: The decrease in residential beds may be partially attributed to the re-categorisation of residential/nursing beds previously classified as dual homes.}

Notes to editors: 

1. This information was collated by Community Information Branch within DoH.
2. This bulletin is published on an annual basis.
3. Statistics detailed within the bulletin include contacts with HSC Trusts, residential and nursing care packages in effect, meals on wheels, residential and nursing accommodation and day care registrations. Analyses are presented by HSC Trust.
4. Figures incorporate all returns and amendments received from HSC Trusts up to 29 September 2018.
5. This publication is available online at: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/topics/dhssps-statistics-and-research/care-not-home-statistics
6. Further information is available from:
   Community Information Branch
   Department of Health
   Room 11
   Annexe 2
   Castle Buildings
   Stormont Estate
   Belfast
   BT4 3SQ
   
   Tel:     (028) 90 522342
   
   E-mail: cib@health-ni.gov.uk
   
   Internet
7. Media enquiries to DoH Press Office on 028 9052 0575 or email: pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110. Follow us on Twitter @healthdpt

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