HC Deb 26 March 1974 vol 871 cc260-1
12. Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many fit psychiatric in-patients she estimates are at present being kept in hospital because of the shortage of hostel and other sheltered accommodation; and what steps are being taken to overcome this shortage.

Dr. Owen

About 22,000 of the 54,000 patients presently in mental handicap hospitals might more easily be accommodated in the community given the necessary facilities. Comparable estimates are not available in respect of the mentally ill. We are determined to overcome the shortage of facilities—as indeed are in general local authorities—but it will take time and progress will depend on the resources that we can make available.

Mr. Price

Is my hon. Friend aware that the problem of the adolescent is particularly difficult and that perfectly fit youngsters sometimes attend school in the daytime and are sent back to locked adult wards in mental hospitals in the evening because there is nowhere else for them to go? Will he institute a full inquiry, because some of us regard the figures that he has given as suspect? We consider the problem to be a great deal bigger than those figures suggest.

Dr. Owen

The problem of adolescents is causing me great concern and I will look into this. I want to make it clear that the statistics I have given are only estimates; they come from Cmnd 4683, "Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped". We need more up-to-date information.

Mrs. Knight

Will the hon. Gentleman inject a little urgency into this matter? There is certainly a need for urgency. Is he aware that in the Birmingham area a constituent of mine who has a sister who suffers from schizophrenia looked for many months for suitable hostel accommodation for her but has been quite unable to accommodate her in the city?

Dr. Owen

I shall certainly look into the case which the hon. Lady has mentioned if she will write to me. I have been deeply interested in this matter ever since I was a medical student.

Sir D. Walker-Smith

Will the hon. Gentleman be issuing guidance to the new regional and area health authorities regarding the priorities to he given to the provision of day places for psychiatric treatment?

Dr. Owen

In the capital allocation programme which we have just authorised we have already indicated the priorities to which we attach great importance, and the mentally ill and the mentally handicapped are very high on that list.