HC Deb 02 March 1959 vol 601 c16
15. Dr. D. Johnson

asked the Minister of Health what returns he receives from mental hospitals as to the proportion of open and closed wards, respectively, in individual hospitals.

Mr. Walker-Smith

No regular returns of this information are made to me.

Dr. Johnson

Is the Minister aware that the outbreaks of violence, or complaints of outbreaks, such as were discussed in this House last week and previously on the B.B.C., and about which many hon. Members who are interested receive information, may be prevented principally by the policy of open wards which has been pursued by so many hospitals in the last two or three years? Will my right hon. and learned Friend do everything in his power to see that this policy is adopted even by those more backward hospitals where it is not yet in operation?

Mr. Walker-Smith

My hon. Friend will be aware of the figures which emerged from the special inquiry into this matter in 1957. Then the acceptance of the therapeutic value of the open door principle was shown to be widespread. It has further increased during the time which has elapsed since that inquiry. Of course, there will always be a minority of patients for whom, as part of their hospital care and treatment, the maintenance of adequate security precautions is essential.

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