§ Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health what is being done to establish small units throughout the country for 75W giving treatment to children who are acutely ill so as to eliminate the need for placing them in mental hospitals primarily devoted to adults, and sending them so far away as to deprive them of visits by relatives and friends.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThere are seventeen special units for mentally ill children in England and Wales. Ten of these are administered in association with a mental or neurosis hospital; all these are in buildings separate from those used for adult patients. Nine other units are planned or under consideration. The hon. Member will appreciate that because the number of children who suffer from mental illness (as distinct from mental defect) is fortunately comparatively small admission to a special unit may involve sending them farther from home than would admission to the mental hospital serving the area in which they live.