HC Deb 23 January 1984 vol 52 cc618-9
4. Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the services for mentally ill persons discharged from mental health hospitals and units in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Wyn Roberts)

The Welsh Office has consistently urged the health and local authorities which are responsible to develop joint strategies to enable long stay patients to leave hospital and receive more appropriate care in their own locations. We have provided record levels of joint finance and psychiatric reserve allocations this year and have designated mentally ill people as a priority group to benefit from the reinvestment of some £2.7 million of efficiency savings in hospital and community services in the coming financial year.

Mr. Thomas

Will the Welsh Office investigate the growth of places in private homes for the mentally ill which are located only in Clwyd and Gwynedd? Will the hon. Gentleman ensure that residents within those homes are treated properly and that some of the cases recently exposed on the Welsh language media should be dealt with?

Mr. Roberts

It is dangerous to exaggerate incidents based on one's knowledge of reports in the press. Only about 3 per cent. of those discharged go to local authority, voluntary or private residential care. As regards private residential care, the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983 should be helpful as it insists on registration and inspection of private homes.

Sir Anthony Meyer

Does my hon. Friend accept that this admirable policy must be supported by public opinion? There is a risk that public opinion could be alienated if stupid decisions are made, such as the giving of planning permission for the opening of a home for the mentally handicapped in a semi-detached house which has a fire escape that goes through the house next door in which there are young people who might be alarmed at such a position.

Mr. Roberts

I agree that the public must be educated to accept that care in the community for the mentally ill and mentally handicapped, where appropriate, is the best form of care for them. As to their settlement in the community, I shall not comment on any specific planning permission that has been given since this matter could come up on appeal to my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Ioan Evans

The hon. Gentleman said that he is concerned about the welfare of the mantally ill and mentally handicapped. Is there not a need also to maintain local authority personal social services? Should we not avoid cuts in those services caused by the Government's constrictions on the rates? Does the hon. Gentleman agree that we need to develop community psychiatric nursing services to ensure effective after-care?

Mr. Roberts

In fact, expenditure on personal social services is 7 per cent. more than would be needed to keep pace with inflation, compared with 1979.