§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many young chronic sick and disabled people between the ages of 16 and 60 years in each regional hospital board in England and Wales are in geriatric accommodation; why they are in that accommodation; and in which hospitals they are accommodated.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyInformation in this form is not collected regularly. The most recent information is from a special survey in April, 1967 which showed that the numbers of patients aged 15–59 receiving long-term care in hospital for chronic physical disabilities or illnesses in geriatric wards were:
Region Number of Patients Newcastle 101 Leeds 204 Sheffield 275 East Anglia 81 North West Metropolitan 93 North East Metropolitan 147 South East Metropolitan 142 South West Metropolitan 82 Wessex 95 Oxford 76 South Western 124 Birmingham 203 Manchester 261 Liverpool 81 Wales 139 Total 2,104 Of these, 1,473 or 84 per cent. were aged 50 or over; the mental and physical condition of many of these is such that the type of nursing care and supportive therapy available in geriatric wards may well be the most appropriate. For most of the remainder accommodation in special hospital units would be preferable. Hospital Boards have been asked to provide such units and we shall get reports on progress next year.