HC Deb 10 May 1976 vol 911 cc70-1W
Mr. Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the facilities at the new Sandfield Unit for Mentally Handicapped Children at Nottingham City Hospital will be inadequate for the more severely handicapped patients at present cared for in Westdale Children's Hospital; and what alternative proposals there are for accommodation and care of the most severely handicapped patients in Westdale Hospital currently awaiting transfer.

Dr. Owen

The Sandfield Unit is designed to accommodate mentally handicapped children and would not be suitable for the multi-handicapped adult patients at present in. Westdale Hospital. The Nottinghamshire AHA(T) plan to transfer the adult patients to Balderton Hospital where special accommodation will be upgraded and adapted for their use.

Mr. Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration is being given to the needs of the patients and to parental wishes before patients are transferred from Westdale Hospital for Mentally Handicapped Children; and what protests have been received about a proposal to transfer the most severely handicapped children to Victoria Hospital, Mansfield.

Dr. Owen

The consultant psychiatrist has undertaken to discuss the implications of the closure with the family of each patient. No proposal has been made to transfer the most severely handicapped children to Victoria Hospital, Mansfield.

Back to