Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with local authorities on the potential merits of using (a) empty care homes and (b) other unoccupied properties as step-down facilities to help reduce pressure in the NHS; and if he will provide funding to use these properties for this purpose.

Departmental ministers, including the Secretary of State, are meeting with leaders from all 42 integrated care systems, including local authority leaders, to understand the pressures they are facing, and how the department can help them. Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for considering the differing demands and requirements for health and care services in their locality and then planning, commissioning and paying for services from appropriate providers.

On 9 January 2023, the Government committed a further £200 million to fund short-term National Health Service step-down care packages. ICBs, working closely with local authorities, will use this to purchase places in care homes and other settings, such as hospices, as well as to help fund wrap-around primary and community health services to support patients’ recovery.