§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services which regional health authorities have not yet submitted plans to his Department for regional secure psychiatric units; and what are the reasons for the delay; and what action he now proposes to take in light of the fact the the units were advocated by his Department as a matter of national urgency in 1974.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security (Sir George Young)Of the 14 regional health authorities only East Anglia and North-West Thames have not so far submitted proposals. The establishment of regional secure psychiatric units has proved ex- 1264 ceptionally difficult, often because of local opposition and problems in finding a suitable site. My right hon. Friend will continue to urge authorities to press ahead with suitable plans and to deal with the setbacks which we must expect, such as those in Oxford and North-East Thames.
§ Mr. Kilroy-SilkDoes the Minister accept that it is a national disgrace that neither East Anglia, which has received £1.3 million, nor North-West Thames, which has received £2½ million since 1976, has yet submitted plans to his Department for the units, at a time when more than 500 mentally disordered patients in prisons are receiving inadequate care and treatment because of the absence of the regional secure units? Is he aware that those units were recommended as a matter of urgency as long ago as 1974? Will he now forget his fine words and take action to ensure that the projects get under way?
§ Sir G. YoungThe hon. Gentleman is not being fair to either of the regional health authorities involved. North-West Thames proposes the establishment of a 30-bed unit at St. Bernard's wing in Ealing. It has completed the initial consultation process and draft outline planning documents have been drawn up. East Anglia recently issued a consultation document on its proposals to establish a 40-bed unit at St. Andrew's hospital in Norwich, and the consultation period ends on 30 September. I cannot accept that those regions have been inactive. Ministers have done all that they can to further the construction of the regional secure units.
§ Mr. Maxwell-HyslopIs my hon. Friend right about the South-West region? Is he aware that as recently as a week ago there were no plans for a regional secure unit, but only for one of two sub-regional units? Does his reply mean that within the last week he has received firm plans for the other sub-regional units?
§ Sir G. YoungAs my hon. Friend knows, in the South-West region a 30-bed purpose-built unit is being constructed at Langdon hospital in Dawlish. The area health authority is currently considering and discussing proposals for the provision 1265 of a secure unit in the northern part of the region. It is hoped that a second-unit will be available in the period 1983-86.
§ Mr. EnnalsDoes the Minister accept that there is now active discussion about the proposal in East Anglia for the establishment of a secure unit, which will be part of the St. Andrew's hospital, Thorpe? Is he aware that the local authority concerned has already confirmed its support for that project but that there is concern among local residents about it? Will he and the Secretary of State do as I am seeking to do at this moment—namely, to reassure the residents that it is a vital and necessary form of psychiatric treatment that should be carried through?
§ Sir G. YoungIt is primarily the responsibility of the regions to assure local residents about the future of facilities. Of course, Ministers will do all that they can. We welcome the support of the right hon. Gentleman in that respect.