§ 9. Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he proposes to take to provide for patients transferred from outdated fire-risk premises in Essex and other parts of the country following the decision of his Department that a completed £1.5 million unit at Enfield for mentally handicapped 182 patients intended to correct some of the South Ockenden problems is to remain empty.
§ Dr. OwenMy Department has made no such decision. Services to the mentally handicapped are amongst the Government's highest priorities. It is for the health authorities to organise those services in the knowledge of their priority and within the constraints of the resources available to them.
§ Mr. MoonmanThis is a very distressing affair. Will my right hon. Friend give some indication of the lessons that are to be learned In this particular case, in view of the great pressures on space for the mentally handicapped? Can he give some intelligent reassurance about the matter?
§ Dr. OwenAs I understand it, the question is still being reviewed. One of the anxieties that arise concerns the feeling of the regional and area health authorities that the revenue consequences of capital schemes will not be met in future years. This is not a new condition: this is always the problem when practically every new capital facility in the health service carries with it higher revenue consequences. We are not making revenue savings as a result of the capital injection, which is causing problems. However, the subject is being reviewed sympathetically in view of the high priority being given to the mentally handicapped.