§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales in how many cases in the last five years the power to transfer a patient from a special to a local psychiatric hospital under section 99(2) of the Mental Health Act 1959 has been used in Wales; and in what circumstances he would consider its use to be appropriate.
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§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThere are no special hospitals in Wales and exercise of this power does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what money has been allocated to area health authorities for secure units in Wales; and whether he is now satisfied that all money allocated for secure units in Wales is now being spent by area health authorities for the intended purposes.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsNo money has so far been allocated to health authorities for secure units in Wales.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the annual cost of maintaining a patient in an interim secure unit in those cases where such units are currently in operation in Wales.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThere is no such unit in operation in Wales.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what in 1979 prices will be the likely annual cost of maintaining a patient in a secure unit in Wales, (a) taking account of capital costs and (b) discounting capital costs.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsSchemes for psychiatric intensive care units in Wales are not sufficiently far advanced for close estimates to be given.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken since 3 May 1979 to facilitate the transfer or discharge of patients from Wales from special hospitals in those cases where their detention is no longer necessary in conditions of special security.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe Welsh Office and the Department of Health and Social Security co-operate closely to facilitate the transfer or discharge of patients from special hospitals.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had since 3 May 1979 with the Confederation of Health Service Employees and the National Union of Public Employees in Wales concerning the imposition of bans by staff in local psychiatric hospitals on the reception of patients detained under part V of the Mental Health Act 1959.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsNone.
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§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is satisfied that special hospitals provide an appropriate environment for the care and treatment of children and adolescents requiring special security; what the alternative facilities are for this group of patients; and whether he has any plans for creating new facilities for patients of these kinds in Wales.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe decision to admit a young person to a special hospital is taken only after careful consideration of all the facts. Only if there are no other facilities offering the care and treatment required in the degree of security thought necessary is it decided to admit a young person to a special hospital.
No new facilities for this small group of young persons are planned.
Up to 1 month 1 to 2 months 2 to 3 months 3 to 4 months Over 4 months Total 1977 … … — 2 12 — — 14 1978 … … — 3 8 — — 11 1979 … … — 7 3 — — 10 I do not consider that any special action is called for.