§ 11. Mr. Astorasked the Minister of Health how many hospital beds are at present occupied by disabled people who would be capable of living at home if adequate financial resources were available to them to pay for necessary non-medical care and attendance.
§ Mr. LoughlinI regret that this information is not available.
§ Mr. AstorWhile appreciating the difficulty of identifying this group of people, would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that it is very desirable to enable and encourage these people to live at home when possible, not only for their own advantage and for the benefit of their families, but because it would release much-needed hospital beds?
§ Mr. LoughlinI agree that it is desirable, where possible, for disabled people to live at home.
§ Dr. David OwenWould my hon. Friend undertake to make certain that such a survey is put in hand, in view of the fact that the alarming statistics—which show the number of young chronic sick in geriatric hospitals—need positive inquiries?
§ Mr. LoughlinI appreciate that there is a difficulty of identification here. I assure the House that we are constantly considering the whole issue and that we will continue to look at the whole matter to see how best we can provide a service to these patients.