HC Deb 11 February 1963 vol 671 cc938-9
58. Mr. Spriggs

asked the Minister of Health how many beds are obtained by hospital authorities in private institutions for subnormal and severely subnormal patients; and if he will give the figures for each regional hospital board.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Bernard Braine)

One thousand five hundred and seventy-six. I will, with permission, circulate the detail in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Spriggs

Is the Minister aware that some of the costs which parents and local authorities have to meet in respect of private patients are astronomical, and that in some instances they reach between £10 and ten guineas a week for each patient who has to be accommodated in a private hospital where such beds have to be undertaken for very difficult patients?

Mr. Braine

I am aware that there are instances of this. I think that it would be best if the hon. Gentleman awaited the reply which I shall circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT, and then if he has a particular case in mind perhaps he will communicate with me direct and I shall do my best to answer him.

Following are the figures:

Region Beds (at November, 1962)
Newcastle … 122
Leeds … —
Sheffield … 97
East Anglia … 42
North West Metropolitan … 258
North East Metropolitan … 108
South East Metropolitan … 15
South West Metropolitan … 159
Oxford … 45
South Western … 92
Birmingham … 90
Manchester … 243
Liverpool … 164
Wessex … 141
Wales … —
Total … 1,576

59. Mr. Spriggs

asked the Minister of Health what is the cost of a bed in a private institution for sub-normal patients when such beds are obtained under contract by regional hospital boards; and what is the cost to the patient, and to the local health authority, in cases where the regional hospital board have not contracted for beds in such private institutions.

Mr. Braine

The cost varies from about £4 a week to £8 and above; this information is not available.

Mr. Spriggs

I want to draw the hon. Gentleman's attention to the case which I have raised with him in correspondence and ask whether something more could be done by his Ministry to speed up the new beds required by a large number of people who are having to manage very difficult patients at home? A large number of these cases are affecting the health of parents and those who have to manage them.

Mr. Braine

Yes, Sir. This is very much in our minds.

Mr. Elwyn Jones

When the Minister says that the cost is £4 to £8 and above, how much above £8 is above?

Mr. Braine

I should like notice of that question.