HC Deb 02 December 1982 vol 33 cc262-3W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many local authorities do not directly provide day care facilities for the mentally ill, and if he will name these authorities;

(2) which local authorities have no day care places available in their areas for the mentally ill;

(3) what day care provision is available in Barnsley for the mentally ill;

(4) what day care facilities exist in Buckinghamshire, Bury, Calderdale and Dudley for the mentally ill.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

Statistics on the provision of day centres for people who are mentally ill, by local authorities in England, are published annually in the Department's booklet "Department of Health and Social Security: Personal Social Services: Local Authority Statistics" (Reference No. A/F81/8). The figures for 31 March 1981 are available in the Library of the House. Those for 31 March 1982 should be available early next year.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many day care places for the mentally ill are provided by (a) local authorities and (b) voluntary organisations; and if he is satisfied with the rate of progress in providing day care places.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

The number of places provided by local authorities in day centres for people who are mentally ill was 4,907 in 1981. These are the latest available figures. An unknown number of additional places was provided by local authorities in mixed day centres. The number provided by voluntary organisations is not known. I would also refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Edge Hill (Mr. Alton) on 28 May 1982.—[Vol. 24, c.444.] I am pleased that progress is being made, and hope that the circular which we have in mind will assist further progress.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of mentally ill patients currently in hospital who could be discharged to the community if the appropriate facilities were available.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

Our discussion document "Care in the Community" suggested that up to 5,000 people now in hospital may be capable of leading more independent lives. I have no reason to change this broad estimate.