Mr. Fred Evansasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people, in the last 12 months for which figures are available, who were discharged from hospital after treatment for mental illness and referred to social services departments for social work support have received no such support owing to shortage of staff, what percentage were readmitted to hospital within one month and six months of discharge, respectively; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. OwenThis information is not available. In the relatively new and developing local authority social service departments in England, resources may not be available to meet all demands and co-operation between the health and local104W authorities over discharge arrangements is essential. The co-ordination arrangements which have been introduced as part of the health service reorganisation should help to facilitate this.