HC Deb 25 November 1986 vol 106 cc130-1
10. Mr. Sackville

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he last met the chairman of the North Western regional health authority.

Mrs. Currie

My right hon. Friend meets regional chairmen every two months to discuss a wide range of issues. The last such meeting, which was attended by all the Health Ministers, was on Wednesday 19 November in Sheffield.

Mr. Sackville

Will my hon. Friend find an opportunity to congratulate the chairman on the success of his policies for care in the community? Is she aware that Bolton health authority has resettled nearly 50 mentally handicapped people in ordinary housing, a feat which at one time many said could not be done?

Mrs. Currie

Yes, I shall do that gladly. I am sure my hon. Friend is aware that the Bolton network, which is at the heart of the scheme that he mentioned, receives central funding. Indeed, a total of £ 1.7 million over three years has passed from our Department to that scheme. We are monitoring it closely and watching it with interest. We hope to see it copied elsewhere.

Mr. Carter-Jones

Is the Minister aware whether, during the discussions, the PR management consultants' report relating to affairs in the Salford health authority was discussed? Is she aware that it recommended further funds for Salford? If they are not provided, despite all that Salford has done, there will either be closures of wards or lengthening queues.

Mrs. Currie

One or two districts in the North-Western region are planning to overspend in the next financial year. Discussions are under way as to exactly what they should do. I know that close discussions are being held between the region and the districts involved.

Mr. Robert Atkins

When my hon. Friend next meets the chairman of the regional health authority, will she remind him again of the anxiety being expressed in my constituency and many others adjacent to it about the proposed closure of the children's arthritic ward at the Wrightington hospital near Parbold? Will she assure him that there will be an outcry if that hospital ward is closed without at least a commensurate, if not better, service being offered in exchange?

Mrs. Currie

My hon. Friend is probably aware that I have already discussed that exact question twice with the regional health authority chairman. We hope to make an announcement about it shortly.

Mr. Terry Lewis

Is the Minister aware that in my constituency, in the Salford health authority area, there is a mental health day care centre that is still standing empty, although it was built in June this year, because of a lack of funding for staff? Answer that!

Mrs. Currie

With the greatest of pleasure. I am aware of these problems, but I am also aware that in Salford the number of in-patients treated has gone up from 38,000 to 42,000 in the past four years; the number of out-patients treated has risen from 284,000 to nearly 300,000 and the number of direct care staff has increased from 3,900 to 4,200. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would like to answer that.