§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many 26-week old foetuses have survived at Southmead hospital in Bristol; and what has been the observed rate of handicap.
§ Dr. VaughanI am told that two infants born at 26 weeks' gestation at Southmead hospital survived in 1978, and four in 1979. I do not think it would be right for me to give details about the characteristics and development of individual patients, but I am writing to the hon. Member.
ADMISSIONS TO MENTAL ILLNESS AND MENTAL HANDICAP HOSPITALS AND UNITS AND SPECIAL HOSPITALS IN ENGLAND BY LEGAL STATUS Mental Health Act 1959—Section: 25 26 29 60(1) 135 136 1976 … … 6,713 756 11,057 1,146 13 1,576 1977 … … 6,694 793 9,539 1,037 7 1,497 1978 … … 6,137 962 8,299 1,019 9 1,608 (1) Including patients subject to restrictions under section 65. Figures for 1979 are not yet available.
The details given relate to the section under which the patient was detained at the time of admission. They do not include changes in legal status subsequent to admission. Some patients will have been admitted more than once in the year.