§ 44. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the Worthing experiment of treating mentally-ill people by out-patient methods.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThis experiment provides valuable experience of one method of organising out-patient treatment for mental patients. There are other methods in use in other places, and all will be helpful in the future planning and development of menial health services.
§ Mr. JannerIs that all the Minister has to say on this very important experiment? Is he not aware that, in consequence of this experiment, the number of cases admitted to the parent hospital, which was 654 in 1956, was reduced last year to 247? In view of the fact that 40 per cent. of beds in the country are being used at present for mental oases, does the right hon. and learned Gentleman not think that he might give some further consideration to this matter?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI am very familiar with what is going on at Worthing, as is everybody who is interested in this matter, but the hon. Member must not give the impression that very good work is not being done in other centres—work which I mentioned on Second Reading of the Mental Health Bill.
§ Dr. SummerskillIs the Minister aware that, whilst we all recognise that the work at Worthing is admirable, there are other places doing similar work which is equally deserving of this commendation?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe right hon. Lady is quite correct. I referred by name to some of them on Second Reading of the Mental Health Bill, and it would be well if they had their share of the commendation due.