§ 56. Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the shortage of mental deficiency accommodation in the country and the distress caused to parents through lack of such accommodation, he will instruct all regional boards to take steps at once to find extra accommodation for these persons.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodBoards are well aware of the urgency of this problem which has been pressed on them in connection with the preparation of their capital programmes. In addition, I hope to make a special allocation available next year for extensions at suitable mental deficiency and mental hospitals, and I have circulated to boards sketch plans to assist them in framing proposals.
§ 58. Mr. Popplewellasked the Minister of Health what immediate action he is taking to provide a sufficient number of beds to deal with the long waiting list of mental patients requiring hospital treatment in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
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§ Mr. Iain MacleodI have approved in principle proposals from the regional hospital board to begin next year the provision of 118 beds for mental patients at St. Nicholas's Hospital, Gosforth, and 100 beds for mental defectives at Prudhoe and Monkton Hospital.
§ 59. Mr. Popplewellasked the Minister of Health the number of mental patients on the waiting list for hospital treatment in the Northern Regional Hospital Board area; and when he hopes to provide the facilities required to enable adequate treatment to be given to these people.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodNo formal waiting lists are kept for mental patients, who, if urgent, are admitted at once. Nine hundred and forty-seven mental defectives in the Newcastle hospital region are awaiting admission to hospital. I have approved in principle proposals to begin next year the provision of 278 beds for mental patients and 200 beds for mental defectives in the region, but I cannot say when all the accommodation needed can be provided.