Long-stay Non-geriatric Patients (Hansard, 31 March 1981)

§ Dr. Vaughan

The largest groups of long-stay non-geriatric patients are people who are mentally ill or mentally handicapped. Efforts made over the last decade or so to give more priority to these two groups of patients have included many measures to improve the quality of life and this effort needs to be maintained. This is why, in the recently issued handbook "Care in Action", we have reiterated the priority which should be given to these groups. The long-term policies to develop services in more appropriate locations are important, as is the help which can be given by volunteers and voluntary bodies. Ways of improving the qualify of life are set out in the publications of the National Development Group for the Mentally Handicapped and in the report on the organisation and management problems of mental illness hospitals, which have been commended to health and local authorities. The development team for the mentally handicapped and the health advisory service, which advises on mental illness and other services, will continue to advise authorities on how best they can use their resources to improve standards.