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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BY DEPUTY J.H. YOUNG OF ST. BRELADE
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 22nd OCTOBER 2013
Question
Will the Minister outline her policy in respect of the future provision and location of sheltered, retirement or lifetime homes for the over 55's to ensure independent living and explain how this policy coordinates with her future plans for primary healthcare provision for our ageing population?
Answer
The future provision and location of sheltered, retirement or lifetime homes for the over 55's is the responsibility of the Planning & Environment Minister as set out in the 2002 Island Plan. The policy intention is to provide a socially supportive and stimulating environment which enables older people to live independently for as long as possible in their own home.
Since the approval of P33/2013, the responsibility for defining housing demand and for developing housing policy has rested with the newly formed Strategic Housing Unit led by the Chief Ministers Department. The Unit has now been established to look at Island wide housing strategy and as part of this work the longer term needs of all sectors of the housing market will be assessed. With regards to over 55's housing there is data available and this has recently been reviewed by the statistics unit.
The Health and Social Services Minister outlined plans for health and social care provision for the ageing population in P82/2012. In this plan, the Minister set out how a range of supported housing solutions will need to be developed to provide a variety of options for individuals who do not require hospital care but who require significant assistance to live independently. This increased supported housing will enable people to make informed choices and plan ahead properly. Supported housing will be achieved through the above departments working together to ensure that current and future demand is assessed and delivered in a timely manner.