asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the level of provision of day care facilities for the elderly by (a) Lancashire County Council, (b) Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, (c) St. Helens and (d) Knowsley; and how these compare with the levels in his Department's guidelines.
At 31st March 1977 no provision was being made by local authorities in the non-metropolitan county of Lancashire or in the metropolitan districts of St. Helens and Knowsley. Provision by the local authority in the metropolitan district of Sefton was at the rate of 1ยท5 places per 1,000 population aged 65 and over. In the county of Lancashire one mixed day centre provided places not allocated to any specific client group.
The departmental guide for the provision of day care facilities for the elderly is about three to four places per 1,000 population aged 65 and over. This cannot take into account varying local circumstances, and is subject to review in the light of the results of research in progress and other factors relating to the changing age structure of the elderly population. Many voluntary organisations provide day care facilities for the elderly extra to that provided by local authorities.