§ 48. Mr. Fitchasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans for improving facilities for psycho-geriatric patients in the Wigan area.
§ Mr. AlisonHospital psychogeriatric services in this area are the responsibility of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board. At present patients are normally 63W referred to Billinge Hospital, but assessment facilities and a day hospital are being planned by the board as part of the development of the Wigan District General Hospital.
Residential homes for elderly people with mental symptoms are the responsibility of Wigan County Borough Council and at present existing homes for the elderly are used to accommodate these also. But the council proposes to increase the number of staff who care for them, and eventually to allocate one home exclusively for them.