§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations he has had concerning the condition of mental hospitals in this country ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CrossmanI have discussed many aspects of this subject with representatives of hospital authorities and staff and with other bodies and individuals.
§ Mr. CordleCan the Minister say whether or not arrangements can be made for more voluntary services to be taken up in this field, especially in respect of mental homes, which are now making a valuable contribution?
§ Mr. CrossmanYes, but I would add that whenever I go round the country I am struck by the extent of the existing voluntary organisations and the invaluable work that they are doing. Everything that the Ministry is doing has the object of trying to make it easier for them and to make easier the access to hospitals through the appointment of organisers, which is important, and on which we have recently advised hospitals.
§ Mr. Leslie HuckfieldIn view of the increasing evidence of more efficient methods of treating many categories of mental patient now being adopted in smaller hospitals, can my right hon. Friend say whether in the near future he will be able to make a statement showing that he has given serious consideration to this policy?
§ Mr. CrossmanI am not quite sure to what policy my hon. Friend refers. In psychiatric hospitals—to which I think he is referring there has been a tremendous break-through in the last four or five years, and all the new methods are being used. Unfortunately, in hospitals for subnormality there is much less availability of treatment at present and I hope that more medical attention will be given to this so that more progress can be made in that area.
§ Lord BalnielI agree with the right hon. Gentleman about subnormality, but is he aware that his own departmental projections until 1972/73 showed that 644 only 4.7 per cent. of all capital building project starts during that time was being devoted to subnormality hospitals? Will he increase this proportion?
§ Mr. CrossmanI am seriously considering this and I hope in the new year to publish a fully considered statement on the whole treatment of the subnormality problem. I cannot commit myself before that. I take the view that part of the solution is to be found in a great expansion of community services outside hospitals. It is the right balance between the spending inside and outside which is important. I do not want to rush people into building new subnormality hospitals when they may not be the right solution.