New statistics released by the department of health show that the number of households receiving home care from the independent sector has risen by 50 per cent in the last five years.

More than 216,000 homes were visited by workers from the independent sector last year rising from 144,000 in 1997.

The government hopes that a further 30,000 older people will be provided with home care services by 2006 as part of the efforts to reduce delayed discharge problems in hospital.

The figures also show that the number of adoptions of looked after children increased by 25 per cent in the two years up to 2002, and 80 per cent were placed for adoption within 12 months of the 'best interest' decision.

Numbers of people detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 has fallen slightly from 26,600 in 2001 to 26,300 last year.

For full listings of looked after children click here

for mental health statistics click here and for community care click here