Mentally Ill and Handicapped People (Hansard, 4 March 1987)

§ Mrs. Currie

[pursuant to her reply, 12 February 1987, c. 361]: Services for mentally ill and mentally handicapped people, along with those for physically handicapped and elderly people, are high on our priority list. Within those broad priorities, we have given fresh impetus, direction and support to the development of comprehensive and integrated local service networks—providing people with accessible and acceptable help appropriate to their individual needs. For both mental illness and mental handicap services, we require a partnership between health and local authorities. For mental illness services, we require a service network which includes in-patient beds, a range of alternative accommodation (with appropriate support), and out-patient and day services. For mental handicap services, we require a network which includes a range of specialist residential care and home support, access to specialist resources and varied day services. Ready access to ordinary services and opportunities and planned and shared integration with local communities are vital.

627W

Achievements since 1983, and earlier, have been the spread of good quality local services with marked improvements both for those living in more ordinary settings and those in hospital, and a marked shift of emphasis from the latter to the former. This has been achieved by increased resources, greater flexibility in their deployment and redeployment, clearer guidelines and wider spread of information about good practice, much more effective monitoring and accountability arrangements, targetted research, and specially funded initiatives to encourage new developments. Those in the front line of achievements have been local planners and other workers with vision and determination, in both the statutory and voluntary sectors; and service users who have themselves shown what they are capable of given the opportunity. Sir Roy Griffiths is presently conducting a review of care in the community provisions which should be completed by the end of 1987.

My right hon. Friend will be laying before Parliament later in the year the report required by section 11 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986.