§ 11. Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients are currently in mental hospitals; and what is his estimate of the number that could be discharged if there was adequate community provision and support.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinAt the latest available date, there were about 45,500 people in mental handicap hospitals and units and a little over 76,000 people in mental illness hospitals and units. About 15,000—or one-third—of the former group have no medical reason to be in hospital, and it is thought that there may be up to 5,000 mental illness patients capable of living in a different setting.
§ Mr. DubsDoes not the Secretary of State agree that those figures reveal an appalling situation for the mentally handicapped and the mentally ill? Does he agree that any person who could be discharged to the community should not remain in hospital a day longer than necessary? What will the Secretary of State do to ensure that local authorities meet their responsibilities?
§ Mr. JenkinThe hon. Gentleman should give credit for the substantial reductions that have taken place under the policies of successive Governments, as spelt out in the two White Papers dealing with better services for the mentally handicapped and the mentally ill. The number of mentally ill people in hospital has decreased in 12 years from 112,000 to just over 76,000. The number of mentally handicapped people in hospital has decreased by over 10,000. The hon. Gentleman is right—our policy is to get people out of the hospitals and into the community. Later this month I hope to publish a new consultative paper setting out a number of options through which we can accelerate the transfer of patients and the resources needed to support them from the National Health Service to care agencies in the community.
§ Mr. LathamWill my right hon. Friend remind the House of the significant and welcome fall in the number of children in mental hospitals, which he mentioned after the recent television programme?
§ Mr. JenkinI am glad to give the figures again. Ten years ago over 8,000 children were in mental handicap hospitals. Now the number is a little more than 2,000. By any standards, that represents substantial progress. Children, however severely handicapped they are, should not be brought up in hospitals.
§ Mr. AshleyIs it true that the number of children in mental hospitals has fallen only because the children have become adults? Does the Secretary of State agree that mentally handicapped people cannot leave the hospitals 256 until adequate funds are earmarked and made available? Can he say when mentally handicapped people who should not be in hospital will be transferred to modern units?
§ Mr. JenkinIt is tempting to set target dates. However, we must be realistic and recognise that what we all want to achieve is not wholly within our control. Six years ago, there were over 60 children at St. Lawrence's hospital. Today only six children are there. It is hoped that by next year it will be possible to close the school at that hospital. That will have been achieved in six years. The same story can be told of many other hospitals. We are all pursuing the same end and we hope to achieve it quickly.