Lib Dem GLA candidate Wayne Hoban has expressed concerns that Haringey’s care homes may be facing overload, following new figures collected by Lib Dem Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes.

Occupancy rates of care home beds, while a problem right across the capital, are running at 98% in Haringey – well above the 90% recommended rate, reducing the range of options and flexibility Haringey Council has when placing elderly residents in care.

Wayne Hoban comments:

“The current care home occupancy figures for Haringey are certainly a serious concern. Care home experts recommend that only 90% of beds should be taken, because this allows local councils to provide care for older people who need a bed at short notice in the right location, such as for people who have been admitted to hospital but are unable to return home.

“With high levels of occupancy, there is significantly less choice on where to place older people, which can result in older people being moved to inconvenient locations, further from home and away from their local support networks.”