HC Deb 04 November 1968 vol 772 cc455-6
44. Mr. Scott-Hopkins

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospital beds there are for the mentally sick and sub-normal adolescents; and what estimate he has made of the total number needed to meet requirements.

Mr. Snow:

There are about 1,350 mentally ill and 6,250 sub-normal patients aged 15 to 19 in hospitals in England and Wales. About 250 beds are provided in special units for mentally ill adolescents, for which the total need is estimated to be about 1,000.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins:

Would the Minister agree that there is a totally inadequate provision of accommodation for adolescents who are mentally disturbed? What is he doing to put the situation right? Does he realise that the Midlands, and particularly Derbyshire, are in great need of this type of accommodation, which is sorely lacking at present?

Mr. Snow:

One can exaggerate the size of the problem, although it is a serious one. The formula we use is the provision, in due course, of 20 to 25 beds of this type per 1 million of the population. That gives a total, in due course, of 970 to 1,200 beds. Seventy more beds will be available during the next 12 months. On our present building programme, we believe that we will achieve the overall required figure within a reasonable time.

Dr. John Dunwoody

Will my hon. Friend do all he can to provide small units near homes for these tragic cases, which often require very long-term care?

Mr. Snow

Yes, Sir. For this reason I spoke of a formula on which we are working. However, a multiplicity of small units would raise difficult economic problems.

Mr. Shinwell

Would my hon. Friend take note of the importance which hon. Members on both sides attach to the Question, as well as the many suggestions which have been made by hon. Gentlemen opposite, all meaning very much increased expenditure on the National Heath Service? Can he provide an estimate of the cost of doing all these things?

Mr. Snow

An actuarial study would be required. I spend a large part of my time trying to meet the persistent demands of hon. Gentlemen opposite for increased expenditure, coupled with demands for reductions in public expenditure.