Unit Costs of Health and Social Care 2002

Unit Costs of Health and Social Care 2002, compiled by Ann Netten and Lesley Curtis. This is the tenth volume in a series of reports from a Department of Health-funded programme of work based at the Personal Social Services Research Unit at the University of Kent. The aim is to improve unit cost estimates over time, drawing on material as it becomes available, including ongoing and specially commissioned research.

The costs reported always reflect, to a greater or lesser degree, work in progress, as the intention is to refine and improve estimates wherever possible, drawing on a wide variety of sources. The aim is to provide as detailed and comprehensive information as possible, quoting sources and assumptions so users can adapt the information for their own purposes. Brief articles are included to provide background to user services, descriptions of cost methodology or use of cost estimates.

The editorial identifies the new developments in estimates included and key current issues in the estimation of costs and use of the information provided in this report.

New in this edition: The policy emphasis on maximising independence, rehabilitation and intermediate care is reflected in the new schemata included in this volume. The new section on services for disabled people includes rehabilitation and independent living services, and nurse-led rehabilitation wards. Other new costs information covers the patient costs of visiting GPs, a nurse practitioner service for nursing and residential home residents, and social services child care.

Copyright: The PSSRU retains the copyright in the Unit Costs series. They may be freely distributed as pdf files and on paper, but quotations must be acknowledged and permission for use of longer excerpts must be obtained in advance. Please acknowledge Unit Costs of Health and Social Care as the source when using costs estimates and information from these reports.

This work was undertaken by the PSSRU, which receives support from the Department of Health. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Department of Health.