HC Deb 29 January 1976 vol 904 c330W
Mr. Steen

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of the health service budget will be needed in the current year to cover geriatric and psychiatric medicine.

Dr. Owen

It is estimated that in the financial year 1975–76 hospital services provided specifically for geriatric and psychiatric patients will account for something of the order of 20 per cent, of all expenditure on the health service in England including expenditure on special hospitals. In addition other parts of the health service provide facilities for old people and for the mentally ill and mentally handicapped.