HC Deb 05 March 1956 vol 549 cc1700-1
43. Mr. Collins

asked the Minister of Health what estimate he has made of the number of patients, aged 65 years and over, now in mental hospitals who would, subject to decertification where necessary, be suitable for transfer to long-stay annexes.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

No precise estimate has been made.

Mr. Collins

Is the hon. Lady aware that a large number of elderly patients in mental hospitals have been found suitable for transfer to long-stay annexes; that, in other words, they should not be in mental hospitals at all? Will she ask her right hon. Friend to have regard to that, when planning further mental hospitals or institutions, because we want people to be in proper kinds of accommodation and not in mental hospitals when they ought not to be there?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

I agree with what the hon. Member says. It is the policy of my right hon. Friend to encourage long-stay annexes linked with mental or general hospitals for persons who are suffering from mental infirmity due to old age and who do not require attention. In fact, 1,530 such beds have already been provided. It is our policy to do that in the future so far as possible. But I think it must also be taken into account that for existing old people, many of whom are aged over 70 and some over 80, it would be a very real hardship to uproot them and move them now. It must be a policy more for the future.