§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of male and female psychiatric patients discharged from mental hospitals and units in England and Wales, including teaching hospitals, in 1967 were first admissions, and what percentage were re-admissions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EnnalsFor male patients 51 per cent. of the discharges (excluding deaths) were from first admissions and 49 per cent. from re-admissions: for female patients, 50 per cent. in both cases. Short periods of in-patient treatment interspersed by other forms of care are frequently better for psychiatric patients than a more prolonged stay in hospital.