§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action has been taken in relation to the criticisms contained in the Rossendale Inquiry Report which emphasised the problems caused by lack of psycho-geriatric facilities in Bury.
§ Dr. OwenThe Department has considered the general recommendations in the inquiry report published by the North Western Regional Health Authority on 17th April 1975 and has provided comments on these to regional health authorities. I have placed a copy of these comments together with the published report in the Library of the House.
In its published report the North Western Regional Health Authority recorded action which the health authorities concerned had already taken or proposed to take in the light of the conclusions and recommendations of the committee of inquiry. Further action which has been taken includes the following:
- (i) The health care planning teams for geriatrics and mental illness in Bury have been asked to review in detail the needs of elderly psychiatric patients and ensure that guidelines given in DHSS circular "Services for Mental Illness related to Old Age" are incorporated in future plans. The area management team has asked to be kept informed of any deficiencies.
- (ii) A training seminar has been held for medical staff and provision of a library and seminar room for further training purposes is under consideration.
- (iii) All areas in the region have been informed of the appointment of a consultant psychiatrist specialising in mental illness
746 related to old age based in the Manchester Area Health Authority (Teaching) with advisory responsibilities for the whole region. - (iv) The Bury Area Health Authority has submitted to North Western Regional Health Authority proposals for re-siting at Fairfield Hospital a proposed psychogeriatric unit originally planned for Florence Nightingale Hospital.
- (v) Written guidance for ward doctors and staff has been provided in both Bury and Lancashire Area Health Authorities.
Other action is in train and I have been assured that the North Western Regional Health Authority and Bury Area Health Authority have these matters under continual review.
§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what are the existing psycho-geriatric beds available at hospitals within the Bury Area Health Authority;
(2) what are the existing psycho-geriatric day places available within the Bury Area Health Authority;
(3) what are the existing psycho-geriatric assessment unit places available within the Bury Area Health Authority.
§ Dr. OwenNone as yet. Patients in the Bury areas suffering from mental illness related to old age are at present cared for in the psychiatric and geriatric wards of hospitals administered by the Bury and adjoining area health authorities. The North Western Regional Health Authority and the Bury Area Health Authority are considering the whole question of beds and places specifically for elderly severely mentally infirm patients.
§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidelines have been given to area authorities on the provision of beds, day places and assessment unit places for psycho-geriatrics with particular reference to Bury and Radcliffe.
§ Dr. OwenAdvice was given to hospital authorities in October 1972 that they should aim at providing, in small local hospital units, 2.5–3 beds plus 2–3 day places per 1,000 population aged 65 and over for elderly patients with severe dementia but no other significant physical disease or illness. Advice on the provision of units for patients requiring joint psychiatric assessment was given in March 1970, recommending the provision 747W of 10–20 beds per 250,000 total population. This advice has been included in the White Paper, Command 6233 and has also been drawn to the attention of the Bury Area Health Authority by the Hospital Advisory Service.