§ 26. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to promote liaison between hospital management committees and regional hospital boards, with a view to the establishment in outside homes and half-way houses of those patients now in mental hospitals who are no longer in need of skilled nursing attention.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI am not sure what my hon. Friend has in mind. Hospital authorities have been reminded of the special needs of those patients who require hospital care but not the full range of services provided by a mental hospital. As regards local health authorities, I would refer to my reply to the hon. Member for Erith and Cray-ford (Mr. Dodds) on 1st February.
§ Dr. JohnsonIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that as local 685 authorities come into this matter—and I should have mentioned them in the Question—there is a complication in the financial arrangement in that local authorities frequently have to pay out money under these arrangements while hospitals save it? Will he keep his eye on this point, in particular with a view possibly to establishing some financial compensating mechanism as between hospitals and local authorities?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThat raises very wide issues which, as my hon. Friend knows, are not entirely within my competence or jurisdiction, but I will have in mind the point he has made.