HC Deb 03 February 1958 vol 581 cc136-7W
Dr. D. Johnson

asked the Minister of Health the cost of the Worthing experiment in out-patient and domiciliary psychiatry for the 10 months of 1957 during which this has been operating.

Mr. R. Thompson

I am informed that the net expenditure in the first ten months of 1957 was £15,753. Part of the cost is met by a grant from the Nuffield Provincial Hospitals Trust.

Dr. D. Johnson

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that two whole-time and one part-time psychiatrists, assisted by a small number of ancillary staff, have, during the first 10 months of 1957, reduced the number of admissions to mental hospitals in the Worthing area by 324 cases, as compared with the same period in the previous year; and if he will make an actuarial investigation into the approximate saving of hospital costs thereby brought about, bearing in mind that a figure of £560 17s. 7d. per case is the average hospital cost of each admission, being the total cost of the patient between the time of admission and time of discharge.

Mr. R. Thompson

I am aware of the results reported in the first year of this two-year experiment, which I am watching with great interest. It is not possible to estimate any financial saving which may result; although there were fewer admissions to hospital, there was during the year no appreciable change in the number of patients resident in the hospital.