§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest number of young chronic sick in North Staffordshire and the number of beds provided for their special accommodation.
§ Mr. AlisonInformation about the number of persons below age 65 who may be described as younger chronic sick and who are resident in particular communities is not available. Information about numbers in hospital is at present only recorded in respect of those in wards normally used wholly or mainly for the care of elderly patients. At 31st December, 1970, there were 70 chronic sick patients under the age of 65 in such wards in hospitals administered by the North Staffordshire Hospital Management Committee. The Fanny Deakin Memorial152W Hospital, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, reopened on 6th July after conversion to a special unit for the younger chronic sick with accommodation for 27 patients. Not all younger chronic sick hospital patients need or wish to be in special units.