§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what basis patients are currently resident in the 259W special hospitals at Broadmoor, Rampton and Moss Side.
§ Dr. OwenPatients in the special hospitals are those persons subject to detention under the Mental Health Act who, in the opinion of the Secretary of State for Social Services, require treatment under conditions of special security on account of their dangerous, violent or criminal propensities.
§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients currently in special hospitals have been admitted (a) under Section 29 of the Mental Health Act 1959, (b) under Section 60 of the Mental Health Act 1959, with restriction, (c) under Section 60 of the Mental Health Act 1959, without restriction, (d) under Section 71 of the Mental Health Act 1959, (e) under Section 72 of the Mental Health Act 1959, and (f) on grounds other than (a) to (e) above; and what is the average length of stay, the shortest stay and the longest stay for patients in each of these categories.
§ Dr. OwenThe legal status of patients in Special Hospitals as at 31st December 1975 was as follows:
Admitted under Section 26 422 Admitted under Section 60 287 Admitted under Section 60 (with restrictions under Section 65) 979 Admitted under Sections 71, 72 and 73 118 Admitted under Acts prior to the Mental Health Act 1959 290 Admitted under Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 114 There are no patients who were admitted under Section 29.
It is not possible to give the average, shortest and longest lengths of stay for these patients. The length of a patient's stay depends primarily on his response to treatment; some patients have been discharged or transferred to other hospitals in under two years whilst others have been resident at Special Hospitals for over 30 years.