HC Deb 08 June 1988 vol 134 cc590-1W
Mr. Robin Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements his Department has made to ensure satisfactory levels of day care for mentally ill and mentally handicapped patients leaving long-stay hospital care; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

Responsibility for determining the level of local day care needs rests with individual health and local authorities.

The table indicates the increase in day care places for mentally ill and mentally handicapped people over the period 31 March 1981 to 31 March 1986 (the latest date for which figures are centrally available).

1981 1986
Mental Illness
Day hospital places 15,300 18,660
Local authority and voluntary day centre places 17,600 19,200

1981 1986
Menial Handicap
Local authority adult training centre places 43,620 50,370
1 Includes estimate of places in mixed centres.