§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mental patients from the Bassetlaw district area are being treated 35 miles away at Saxondale Hospital, Nottinghamshire; and when these people can expect to be cared for in Bassetlaw.
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§ Dr. Owen:Information in the form requested is not readily available. 118 psychiatric patients from Bassetlaw were admitted to Saxondale Hospital during 1974.
A psychiatric unit to serve Bassetlaw is being planned as part of the first phase of the redevelopment of Kilton Hospital. In this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his earlier Question today.
§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why there is no provision for in-patient accommodation for psycho-geriatrics in the Bassetlaw area; and when she expects this to be made available.
§ Dr. Owen:Patients requiring hospital care are admitted to Saxondale Hospital or to geriatric beds at Kilton and Retford hospitals. The development of services specifically for such patients in Bassetlaw, as elsewhere, is in its early stages, and its pace will depend on the availability of resources and on local and regional priorities. In this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his earlier Question today. The Nottinghamshire Area Health Authority is considering possible short-term measures to alleviate immediate problems.