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Statistical press release - Adult Community Statistics for Northern Ireland 2010-2011 published

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published the “Adult Community Statistics for Northern Ireland 2010-2011” statistical bulletin.
~ Friday, 13 January 2012

The publication reports on activity data analysed by Programme of Care (POC) and HSC Trust. It also includes trend data over the past five years.

Key facts and figures

All Programmes of Care (POC)

  • At 30 June 2011, 12,356 persons were benefiting from residential care (34%) or nursing home care (66%) packages in Northern Ireland. This was very similar to the proportions at 30 June 2010 (35% and 65% respectively).
  • At 31 March 2011, 4,245 persons were in receipt of meals on wheels services. This was 433 (9%) less than the number in receipt at the end of the previous year and 2,425 (36%) less than the number in receipt five years ago.
  • The majority (96%) of persons with sensory impairment (Blind, Partially Sighted, Deaf and Hard of Hearing) who had contact with Trusts between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011 were living in the community.

Elderly Care POC

  • 9,789 persons in the Elderly Care POC were benefiting from a care package at 30 June 2011. Almost one third (31%) were in receipt of a residential care package and over two thirds (69%) were in receipt of a nursing home care package.
  • At 31 March 2011, there were 230 residential homes for elderly persons in Northern Ireland, providing 3,513 places. (Note however, that this figure for the number of places does not include those in private and dual registered homes in the Northern HSC Trust).

Mental Health POC

  • 625 persons in the Mental Health POC were benefiting from a care package at 30 June 2011. Similar proportions were in receipt of a residential care package and a nursing home care package (48% and 52% respectively).
  • At 31 March 2011, there were 25 residential homes solely for persons designated mentally ill in Northern Ireland, providing 356 places. Twenty one (84%) of the residential homes and 273 (77%) of the places were in the Western HSC Trust.
  • Between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011, there were 15,683 persons designated mentally ill in contact with Trusts, almost a third (32%) of whom were in the Belfast HSC Trust.

Learning Disability POC

  • 1,539 persons in the Learning Disability POC were benefiting from a care package at 30 June 2011. Similar proportions were in receipt of a residential care package and a nursing home care package (53% and 47% respectively).
  • At 31 March 2011, there were 43 residential homes for persons with a learning disability in Northern Ireland, providing 539 places.
  • Between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011, 9,173 learning disabled persons were in contact with Trusts.

Physical & Sensory Disability POC

  • 403 persons in the Physical & Sensory Disability POC were benefiting from a care package at 30 June 2011. Less than a fifth (17%) were in receipt of a residential care package and more than four fifths (83%) were in receipt of a nursing home care package.
  • At 31 March 2011, there were 2 residential homes solely for persons with a physical disability in Northern Ireland, providing 16 places. One home providing 10 places was in the Northern HSC Trust and the other home providing 6 places was in the Western HSC Trust.
  • Between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011, 9,251 persons with a physical disability/ sensory impairment were in contact with Trusts.

Notes to editors:

1. This publication is available online

2. About the data

Figures incorporate all returns and amendments received from HSC Trusts up to 12 December 2011.

3. This statistical bulletin was produced by Community Information Branch, DHSSPS. Further information is available from:

Community Information Branch,
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety,
Annexe 2, Castle Buildings,
Stormont, BT4 3SQ
Telephone: 02890 522493
E-mail: CIB@dhsspsni.gov.uk
Internet: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/stats_research/stats-cib-3/statistics_and_research-cib-pub.htm

4. Media queries about this press release to DHSSPS Press Office on 02890 520074, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.