§ Mr. Fisherasked the Minister of Health what is the average length of stay of a mental patient entering a hospital or institution today, as compared with 30 years ago; and to what factors he attributes the change.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI regret that the information is not available in the form requested. In 1964, the latest year for which there are relevant figures, the average length of stay of patients discharged from mental illness hospitals or units was about 160 and the median about 40 days. No comparable figures are available for 30 years ago, but in 1949 the average and median figures were about 250 and 70 respectively. The factors include changed public attitudes leading to earlier and more effective treatment, the widespread use of physical methods of treatment, and improved systems of after care making earlier discharge possible.