HC Deb 16 February 1976 vol 905 cc555-6W
Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of English psychiatric hospitals was built prior to 1900; what percentage of NHS beds in England is in psychiatric hospitals; and what percentage of the NHS budget in England is spent on such hospitals.

Dr. Owen,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9th February 1976; Vol. 905, c. 86], circulated the following information:

Between 45 and 50 per cent. of psychiatric hospitals in England were built before 1900.

In 1973, the latest date for which figures are available, 38.7 per cent. of all NHS beds in England were in psychiatric hospitals for the mentally handicapped or the mentally ill—including special hospitals. In the financial year 1973–74 current expenditure on these hospitals accounted for 10.9 per cent. of all current expenditure incurred on those services which are now included in the NHS, including community health and family practitioner services.