§ Mr. Bowlesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present state of the Mental Hospital, Belize, as regards type of accommodation, sanitation, water supply, and diet of the patients.
§ Mr. SandysAccommodation is provided in concrete buildings, which have been partially rehabilitated since the 1961 hurricane. It consists of five open type multiple wards, 3 for males and 2 for females, 20 individual rooms for acute and dangerous cases, of which there are 10 for each sex, and 10 single rooms for isolation cases, of which there are 4 for males and 6 for females.
Further information is being sought on the remainder of this question and I will write to the hon. Member when I have it.
§ Mr. Bowlesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent in the Mental Hospital, Belize, beds are provided for patients; whether mechanical restraint is still in use: and what is the average cost per patient per year in terms of food and clothing.
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§ Mr. SandysAs regards provision of beds, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to his previous Question. No mechanical restraint is used. The cost of food per annum per patient is $160, which is supplemented by free gifts by the organisation knowns as the Cooperative for American Remittances to Everywhere, Inc. The cost of clothing is $120 which is also supplemented by charitable agencies.
§ Mr. Bowlesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether electroconvulsive therapy apparatus is available, and whether tranquillising and antidepressant drugs are provided at the Belize Mental Hospital.
§ Mr. SandysThe electro-convulsive therapy apparatus was destroyed in the hurricane in 1961, but it is being replaced. Tranquillising and anti-convulsive drugs are in use.