HC Deb 23 January 1967 vol 739 cc174-5W
Mr. Moonman

asked the Minister of Health (1) what is the annual hospital admission rate for the mentally ill in the Basildon and Brentwood Urban District Council areas;

(2) how the admission rate for the mentally ill from the Basildon and Brentwood Urban District Council areas compares with the national average;

(3) what percentage of mental patients in the Basildon and Brentwood Urban District Council areas have a history of relapse;

(4) what percentage of mental patients are discharged annually in the Basildon and Brentwood Urban District Council areas.

Mr. K. Robinson

Separate figures for Basildon and Brentwood Urban District Councils areas are not available. The latest information for the catchment areas of Runwell Hospital (which covers Basildon) and Warley Hospital (which covers Brentwood) shows that, per 1,000 population the annual hospital admission rate for the mentally ill is 2.5 and.22 respectively compared with the national average of 3.35; of the patients admitted to these hospitals 61 per cent. and 56 per cent. have a history of relapse, and 95 per cent. and 96 per cent. are discharged within one year.

Mr Moonman

asked the Minister of Health how many of those mental patients discharged in the Basildon and Brentwood Urban District Council areas, particularly those with relapse histories, are followed up within a month of discharge.

Mr. K. Robinson

In general, all such cases where follow up is necessary.

Mr. Moonman

asked the Minister of Health what facilities are provided in the Brentwood and Basildon Urban District Council areas to aid rehabilitation; and how far this compares with the national pattern.

Mr. K. Robinson

I assume my hon. Friend has in mind the rehabilitation of the mentally ill.

In addition to general advice and support provided by mental health social workers, after-care services for the two areas include a social club, some hostel places and the help of the Disablement Resettlement Officer. The pattern of services varies from area to area and no useful comparisons are possible.