§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons are at present in mental hospitals who could be living in the community if adequate facilities and accommodation were available; what is the current rate of discharge of such persons; how many persons are at present in hospitals for the mentally handicapped who could be living in the community if adequate facilities and accommodation were available; and what is the current rate of discharge of such persons.
§ Mr. EnnalsNo reliable estimates are available of the number of persons who could be discharged from mental illness and mental handicap hospitals if adequate facilities and accommodation in the community were available. But there is little doubt that there are many thousands in both types of hospital. Nor are discharges recorded in such terms. The numbers are dependent on professional opinion, which varies a good deal, even among the experts.
Discharge statistics, in terms of length of stay, sex, age, and so on, are published in the Department of Health and Social Security Statistical and Report Series.