§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many current residents at secure mental hospitals have been assessed as having Asperger's syndrome. [136952]
§ Ms Rosie Winterton[holding answer 6 November 2003]:Information about the number of current residents in secure mental hospitals who have been assessed as having Asperger's syndrome is not available. However, in 1999 the National Autistic Society published the results of a study of 1,305 residents of the three special (now high security) hospitals in England, which was funded by the Department through the Section 64 scheme of grants to voluntary organizations. This identified that there were then 31 people with an autistic spectrum disorder, of whom 21 had Asperger's syndrome.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will hold an inquiry into the misdiagnosis and mistaken treatment of patients in secure mental hospitals who have Asperger's syndrome.[136953]
§ Ms Rosie Winterton[holding answer 6 November 2003]:We have no plans to commission an inquiry into services for people with Asperger's syndrome in secure hospitals. However, services for people who have Apserger's syndrome have been included in the specialised services national definition set (SSNDS), with a view to improving the collaborative commissioning arrangements necessary to provide them with a seamless service. Inclusion in the SSNDS provides a basis for service reviews and strategic planning and enables commissioners to establish a broad base-line position and make initial comparisons on activity and spend.