Young Chronically Sick: Special Units (Hansard, 11 February 1986)

§ Lady Kinloss
My Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lady Mar, and at her request, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in her name on the Order Paper.

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Baroness Trumpington)
My Lords, in 1984, the latest year for which figures are available centrally, the average daily total of beds available in units for younger disabled people in National Health Service hospitals in England was 1,657. In addition, the average daily total in Wales for the same period was 47.

§ Lady Kinloss
My Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for her reply, may I ask whether the Government appreciate the invaluable service given by those who care for the young chronically sick 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and often for years, without any relief? Do the Government agree that high priority should be given to the setting up of special units in local health districts to provide cover for emergencies and to give holiday relief for the carers?

§ Baroness Trumpington
My Lords, the Government are fully sympathetic to the need to provide relief for carers at critical times. Indeed, we recognise the valuable role played by the voluntary bodies in this area. However, we are not convinced that respite care away from home is always the best solution. Many voluntary bodies provide relief carers in the person's own home, and we welcome this development.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, can the noble Baroness say what is the current situation with regard to the recruitment of specialist student nurses to become specialists in this particular field, and whether there is any improvement in the situation in various parts of the country where this form of training has been instituted?

§ Baroness Trumpington
My Lords, I would need notice of that question. It is a little far from the Question on the Order Paper.

§ Baroness Macleod of Borve
My Lords, may I ask my noble friend to tell us, if she knows, whether there are many children on the waiting list for these beds?

§ Baroness Trumpington
No, my Lords, I do not know; but I shall write to the noble Baroness.

§ Baroness Seear
My Lords, if the noble Baroness the Minister believes that help in the carer's home is what is required, and it may well be that this is right, are the Government prepared to consider any financial contribution to it, because this is not a cheap thing to do?

§ Baroness Trumpington
My Lords, it is up to local authorities, voluntary bodies and health authorities as to how they allocate funds in any region or district.

§ Baroness Masham of Ilton
My Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness whether she is aware that there is concern at the closure of some of the smaller hospitals which give this short-term support in emergency services, such as the hospital at Bromsgrove, about which I wrote to the noble Baroness?

§ Baroness Trumpington
My Lords, I cannot be expected to answer particular questions about particular cases in the context of this Question.

§ Lord Ennals
My Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness whether she can say something about the situation as it affects mentally handicapped youngsters? From figures at my disposal, I understand that there was a very substantial increase in hospital beds available for young mentally handicapped but in fact only an increase of 42 places in the community in terms of day care support. This occurred between 1976 and 1982. Does this not create some concern about the extent to which community care is really operating, when a large number of patients are discharged without there being adequate day care facilities in the community?

§ Baroness Trumpington
My Lords, the Question applies to the young chronically sick, and I think I must stick to that definition. I would say further that, as the noble Lord will be aware, there are 192 district health authorities in England. In 1984 there were 79 young disabled units spread throughout the country. We look to health authorities to develop their policies in line with the Government's care in the community objective. Joint planning is something which health authorities must work out in collaboration with other statutory services and voluntary bodies. The provision of young disabled units is for each regional health authority to determine in conjunction with the districts. I think that reply would apply equally to the mentally handicapped.

§ Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos
My Lords, I hope that I may be forgiven for following immediately upon my noble friend. The noble Baroness may have a perfectly good explanation, but does she agree that 47 beds for Wales is a low figure and one out of all proportion to 97 the English figure? Can she explain that, and can she say whether representations have been made about it?

§ Baroness Trumpington
My Lords, I have to go back to what I said previously. It is up to regional health authorities to plan how such help is distributed among the districts. Although there may not be a unit in every district, there may be sufficient to care for the young people of Wales.