HC Deb 08 December 1958 vol 597 cc15-6
17. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Health whether a place in a South Wales hospital has now been found for Royston David Thornhill of Rampton Hospital.

Mr. R. Thompson

Yes, Sir. He will shortly be transferred to Hensol Castle Hospital.

Mr. Thomas

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that it has taken his Department a very long time in this case and that it has treated this individual as though he were a criminal?

Mr. Thompson indicated dissent

.

Mr. Thomas

I happen to know the facts; it is no good the Minister shaking his head. Is he aware that I earnestly hope that nobody else will receive the same sort of treatment from his Department that this unfortunate man has had?

Mr. Thompson

I cannot quite accept that. Owing to difficulties in finding alternative accommodation, it is not always possible to move patients from State institutions as rapidly as we should like. In this case, the Welsh Regional Hospital Board was able to find a place in five to six weeks.

Mr. Dodds

Does the hon. Gentleman not appreciate that when I visited Rampton in July this man had already been told for twelve previous months that he was going out? Does not the hon. Gentleman think that is much too long?

Mr. Thompson

There is still a question of finding somewhere to send him.