HC Deb 27 January 1975 vol 885 c41W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take action to ensure that child patients in special hospitals can be segregated from adult patients.

Dr. Owen

The majority of the patients under age 18 are already accommodated in single bedrooms, but having regard to their numbers and needs it would be impracticable to provide separate occupational, educational and recreational facilities, even if it were desirable to do so.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why there are no wards for girl patients in special hospitals; and if she will take steps to provide them.

Dr. Owen

Having regard to the small number of girl patients under age 18, the range of their intelligence and the different manifestations of their disorders, it would be impracticable to do so. All but one have, however, been allocated single bedrooms.