HC Deb 25 May 1976 vol 912 cc123-4W
Mr. Moonman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to improve the provision of day

Friend to the information in my replies to hon. Members on 21st May 1975.—[Vol. 892, c. 477–86, 507–8.]

Figures for 1974–75, 1975–76 and 1976–77 are as follows:

care facilities and short stay care hostels for severely mentally handicapped children over the age of 16 years, in order to reduce the number of these children permanently hospitalised and increase the number normally living at home.

Dr. Owen

In the consultative document "Priorities for Health and Personal Social Services in England", we have proposed that as a first priority in the mental handicap field the growth of local authority services should be maintained at the rates required to achieve the White Paper targets by the early 1990s. This would entail an additional 2,400 training centre places each year for persons aged 16 and over, and an additional 1,000 residential places for all purposes, including an element for short stay care.

The National Development Group for the Mentally Handicapped is studying two related aspects: a review of day services for mentally handicapped adults, including those over 16 who are severely mentally handicapped, and the co-ordination of services for family support, with particular reference to short stay care.