HC Deb 05 November 1969 vol 790 cc130-1W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many young chronic sick and disabled people between the ages of 16 and 60 years in each regional hospital board area in Scotland are in geriatric accommodation; why they are in that accommodation; and in which hospitals they are accommodated.

Mr. Ross

At October, 1967, when a survey was made, 333 young chronic sick were in geriatric beds in Scottish hospitals (including 20 on a temporary basis). Of these 333, 300 were in 57 geriatric hospitals and were distributed regionally as follows:

North 13
North-East 72
East 30
South-East 51
West 134

The remaining 33 were in geriatric beds in general hospitals and cannot be identified regionally without a special analysis.

Of these 333, 224 were aged 50 and over. The 109 younger patients were scattered in small numbers over many hospitals and it is not possible at this date to analyse the reasons for their placement. My Department hopes shortly to commence a study to assess the facilities for hospital care of the young chronic sick.