§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to issue directives to regional health authorities to halt the closure plans for hospitals for the mentally handicapped until a review of their programmes and the availablility of alternative methods of care has been conducted.
§ Mr. MellorThe guidelines for health authorities' short-term programmes (HC(88)43) clearly directs authorities to develop a comprehensive and integrated range of services for mentally handicapped people giving good quality care for them in all settings. The closure of hospitals is not a primary aim and should come about as a consequence of all authorities' abilities to provide appropriate care in other ways, not for its own sake.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what effect circular HC (88) 43 has had on regional health authorities plans and action of running down and closing hospitals for the mentally handicapped.
§ Mr. MellorThe circular provides guidelines for health authorities in formulating their short-term plans for 1989–90, that is, the next financial year, not the current one. Reports from regional health authorities on their plans for 1989–90 will be submitted to the Department in 1989 and will include information on a wide range of services for mentally handicapped people.