§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the number of hospital beds available in Hampshire for psycho-geriatric cases; how many patients are known to be waiting for such beds; and what steps she is taking to increase the availability of more such beds.
§ Dr. OwenPatients in Hampshire suffering from mental illness related to old age are at present treated mainly in mental illness and long-stay hospitals. Information about the number of such patients awaiting admission to these hospitals is not readily available.
The Hampshire Area Health Authority (Teaching), in common with all other health authorities, has been urged to give priority, within the limits of available resources to improving hospital services for such patients. It is in fact planning to provide 16 assessment beds at the Basingstoke district general hospital in 1975–76.