CCC Census 2006: Care at the Crossroads

An expert conference taking place to day will set out the findings of the largest ever census of UK care home residents – and, crucially, what the results mean for future care policy development. The census of over 32,000 people resident in 751 care homes has been undertaken by CCC members working together.

CCC and the Clinical Effectiveness and Evaluation Unit of the Royal College of Physicians of London have convened a multi-disciplinary conference to consider the census findings and how people’s care needs can best be met now and in future.

The census builds on the findings of BUPA's 2003 census providing a profile of care home residents from a wide range of providers. CCC intends the findings to play a valuable role in informing the crucial issue of resources now and future planning for care, including planning of physical provision, staffing and supportive infrastructure.

CCC urges policy-makers to give priority to the issues highlighted by the results, including:

·       The high level of dependency in care homes generally but also an overlap between residential and nursing care. 

·       The impact of chronic diseases more common in older people on the need for care compared with social factors.  Such diseases include Alzheimer's disease and stroke. Generally, the loss of mental functioning is highlighted.

·       The inconsistency apparent in the use and funding of care homes from area to area

In addition to reporting the findings of the census, the conference will have responses from a range of leading stakeholders with regard to "what needs to be done".

Dr Clive Bowman, Chairman, CCC said:

“CCC recognises that policy-making on care is at a crossroads and expects the census findings to be helpful in developing policies that provide more consistent approaches to assessment and more highly integrated health and care responses to need. The census makes clear that care homes provide a crucial part of the spectrum of care for which many people depend.”