§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients were detained on mental health grounds in Northern Ireland hospitals in each of the last 10 years. [188499]
§ Angela SmithInformation on the number of patients detained annually on mental health grounds in Northern Ireland hospitals is available from the Psychiatric Census, which is carried out in mental illness and learning disability hospitals on 31 March each year. Figures for the position since 1996 are as follows.
1637W
Number of detained patients 1996 345 1997 383 1998 390
Number of detained patients 1999 408 2000 365 2001 348 2002 — 2003 394 Information is not available prior to 1996 and figures for 2004 are not yet available. Figures for 2002 have not been returned by all hospitals; therefore it is not possible to provide a total Northern Ireland figure for that year.
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to increase the number of specialist stroke units in the Province. [188526]
§ Angela SmithThere are already a number of specialist stroke units in Northern Ireland. In line with the evidence-based strategy for Stroke Services, stroke implementation teams have been established within each of the Health and Social Services Board areas. These teams will identify gaps in the current provision of stroke services and will explore the potential to increase further the number of specialist stroke units.
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what public consultation process will occur following departmental recommendations from the review of public health functions in the Province. [188674]
§ Angela SmithThe recommendations from the Review of Public Health Function in Northern Ireland under consideration. Decisions on consultation have still to be taken.