NEWS RELEASE FROM THE
REGISTERED NURSING HOME ASSOCIATION

Issued 26th February 2001

DOUBTS RAISED ABOUT COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF GOVERNMENT'S HOSPITAL
BUILDING PROGRAMME

Doubts have been raised about whether the ?3.1 billion hospital building programme announced last week by Health Secretary Alan Milburn is the most cost-effective way of meeting demands for health care.

The programme, largely funded through the private finance initiative, will lead to around 3,000 new acute hospital and intermediate care beds being created - an investment that will ultimately cost the taxpayers over
?1 million per additional bed created.

Today, the UK's nursing home leaders are questioning whether this is the best way of using resources to improve the population's access to health care, particularly older people. The Registered Nurse Home Association (RNHA), which represents over 1,000 homes across the country, has asked why the Government does not intend to make better use of the thousands of empty beds already available in those homes.

Commented RNHA chief executive officer Frank Ursell: "Whilst most people would support extra spending on health care to bring the UK up to the European average, the underlying issue is whether the money is being spent wisely. If the partnership philosophy which the Government espouses is to mean anything in practice, it would be more sensible to explore how existing facilities can be better utilised to deliver the maximum amount and highest quality of care.

He added: "Nursing homes have the potential to provide high quality intermediate care for patients with complex needs who are too ill to remain at home but not ill enough to have to stay in an acute hospital ward, with all the attendant risks of getting an infection. For around ?12,000 per bed per annum, the nursing home sector offers the immediate option of allowing more patients to receive the level and type of care they need. This would free up more of the existing beds in the acute sector of the NHS and allow more patients through the system more quickly."

END

For further information please contact: Frank Ursell, Chief Executive Officer, Registered Nursing Home Association (Tel: 0121-454 2511 or mobile 07785 227000)