HC Deb 20 December 1957 vol 580 cc119-20W
Mr. Moss

asked the Minister of Health to what extent the Coleshill Hall, the Chelmsley, Marston Green, and the Weston Mental Hospitals, respectively, are understaffed in the various categories of employee; and to what extent overtime has to be worked to ensure the efficient working of these hospitals.

Mr. Walker-Smith

The information is as follows:

UNDERSTAFFING AT HOSPITALS IN THE BIRMINGHAM (MENTAL E) GROUP
Category of Employee Coleshill Hall Chelmsley Weston
Medical
Nursing 6 37 25
Works and maintenance 1 1
Administrative and clerical 1
Professional and technical 1 3
Domestic and others 3 3
WEEKLY AVERAGE OVERTIME WORKED IN THE BIRMINGHAM (MENTAL E) GROUP
Category of Employee Coleshill Hall (Hours) Chelmsley (Hours) Weston (Hours)
Nursing 288 376 117
Works and maintenance 45 40 4
Administrative and clerical 42* 16* 8*
Domestic and others 169 102 18
* This overtime is not being worked at present.

Mr. Moss

asked the Minister of Health to what extent the Coleshill Hall, the Chelmsley, Marston Green, and the Weston Mental Hospitals, respectively, are overcrowded; and if he will supply figures showing the number of patients actually being cared for in each hospital of this group.

Mr. Walker-Smith

The information is as follows:

NUMBER OF PATIENTS IN HOSPITALS IN THE BIRMINGHAM (MENTAL E) GROUP AND THE PERCENTAGE OVERCROWDING AS AT 30TH SEPTEMBER, 1957
Hospital Number of Patients Percentage over-crowding
Coleshill Hall 399 11
Chelmsley 716 25
Weston 229 21

Mr. Moss

asked the Minister of Health what proposals exist to provide the Colehill Hall, Chelmsley, Marston Green, and Weston Mental Hospital Group with a hostel for patients almost ready to return to normal life; and whether it is his policy that such a hostel should be provided.

Mr. Walker-Smith

The Regional Hospital Board has endeavoured to find suitable premises in the surrounding area for use as a hostel, but so far without success. I am in principle in favour of the provision of hostels of this kind.