Mr. Fred Evansasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to develop therapy through sport, and in particular hydro-therapy, in National Health Service hospitals, especially those for physically and mentally handicapped children; if he will advise all hospitals to maintain close contact with the British Sports Association for the Disabled so that any person discharged need not through the lack of facilities be deprived of the opportunity to develop any skills he has learnt; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alfred Morris,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 1st July 1976; Vol. 914, c. 285–6] circulated the following information:
I attach considerable importance to the therapeutic value that physical recreation can have for handicapped people. Health authorities are aware of the part played by the British Sports Association for the Disabled and the association has been listed as a body to which they may subscribe. When children with physical or mental disabilities attend hospital 463W schools, the curriculum will include physical education and recreation in a variety of forms including swimming.
It is my Department's policy that any new district general hospital should have a department of rehabilitation. Our guidance includes hydrotherapy. Such provision is necessarily, however, a matter for the health authority concerned in the light of overall priorities and costs.