Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 24 October 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 26 October 2005. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Monday, 7 November 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Nutrition

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has commissioned into the nutrition of older people (a) in care homes, (b) receiving domiciliary care, (c) in an acute hospital ward and (d) in intermediate care.

Answer: The Department funds research to support policy and to provide the evidence needed to underpin quality improvement and service development in the national health service. Over 75 per cent. of the Department's total expenditure on health research is devolved to and managed by NHS organisations. The remainder funds health and social care research through the Department's central research programmes. Details of individual projects, including a number concerned with nutrition and older people, can be found on the national research register at www.dh.gov.uk/research.

Secondary information