The number of nursing homes has fallen for the third successive year, it has been revealed.

According to Department of Health figures, there are currently 4170 general nursing homes in England, a drop of 4.6 per cent on the previous year.

Forum Response: Counsel and Care

Les Bright, deputy chief executive of Counsel and Care, told ePolitix.com: "Every home closure means that older people and often their elderly relatives experience unnecessary distress at a time when they are less capable of withstanding major upheaval in their lives."

Forum Response: Help the Aged

A spokesperson for Help the Aged told ePolitix.com: "There is not only a crisis in the care home sector but also in home care, without doubt a result of chronic underfunding in social care."

Forum Response: Unison

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison told ePolitix.com: "The elderly have a right to know that if they can't be cared for in their own home, high quality residential care is available."Private companies have consistently put in unrealistically low bids in order to take over council homes and now 86 per cent of care homes are in the private sector."Owners have not hesitated to cut the already low pay and conditions of our members in a bid to make more profits. And many do not think twice about selling-out when property prices soar. But when profit margins are squeezed they go bleating to the government for help, or simply bail out and leave residents and staff to suffer the consequences."