HC Deb 07 July 1969 vol 786 cc938-40
17. Mr. Lubbock

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many special units there now are for the treatment of adolescents with psychiatric problems; whether he is satisfied with this provision; and if he will make a statement.

25. Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on his plans to improve adolescent psychiatric facilities.

Mr. Crossman

There are fourteen special units in England. About 30 more are planned, of which five are due to open in the next 12 months. Guidance was given to hospital authorities in 1964 about the provision of such units, and boards are fully aware of their advantages.

Mr. Lubbock

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that his predecessor, the Minister of Health, told the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Roy Hughes) over a year ago that there were thirteen such units? His answer implies that only one has been opened in the last year. As the right hon. Gentleman has said that 30 to 35 more are required, is he satisfied with this rate of progress, and what steps is he taking to speed things up?

Mr. Crossman

I am not satisfied with the rate of progress, because I regard the treatment of adolescents with psychiatric problems as tremendously important. We have 30 units planned, of which five are due to open in the next 12 months, which I think might improve the average.

Mr. Price

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is most unsatisfactory for young adolescents with these problems to be mixed up with older folk, often with different problems? Can he give us any idea of the progress being made? Can he give us the percentages at the moment of all the adolescent people with psychiatric problems, of those in special units, and of those in general units?

Mr. Crossman

I could if my hon. Friend were to put down a Question. I have not the information here, but I can give the extent of the provision. The 14 existing units provide only 290 beds. Those due to open in the next 12 months will give us another 110. Those planned will give us another 600. But I must warn the House that these are relatively small figures compared with the total demand.

Lord Balniel

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that the shortage of inpatient facilities for psychiatrically disturbed adolescents is probably one of the greatest weaknesses of the whole of the psychiatric services? As this is always going to be a low priority in each regional board area because the numbers are small, will he consider grouping together the regional boards so that at least in various groups of regional hospital boards such facilities will be provided?

Mr. Crossman

I should like to think about that before replying. I should not think that the grouping of boards was the answer, but I shall consider it.