Electro-Convulsive Therapy (Hansard, 13 July 1977)

§ Mr. Reid
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines have been laid down for the use of electro-convulsive therapy in Scottish hospitals.

§ Mr. Harry Ewing
In January 1976 the Scottish Home and Health Department advised health boards that a patient should be given on explanation by a doctor before giving his consent to electroconvulsive therapy and that the form of consent should indicate that this has been done. My right hon. Friend does not consider it would he appropriate for him

ADULT TRAINING CENTRES

1971^* 1972 (at end December) Places available 1973 1974 1976†(at end March)

Local Authority … … … 2,348 2,571 3,207 3,156 3,693

Voluntary … … … 485 329 205 223 572

^*No information available for Selkirk county.

†The increase in voluntary places between 1974 and 1976 is in large measure due to a revised method of collecting the information.

DAY CENTRES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED‡

1971 1972(at end December)Places available 1973 1974 1976§ (at end March)

Local Authority … … … 424 531 604 722 495

Voluntary … … … 244 230 242 286 119

‡Day Centres for mentally handicapped may have a number of persons who are physically handicapped or mentally ill. It is not possible to distinguish the number who are mentally ill.

§ The decrease in the numbers between 1974 and 1976 arises mainly from responsibility for mentally handicapped children up to 16 years of age being transferred from social work departments to education departments following coming into operation of the Education (Mentally Handicapped Children) (Scotland) Act 1974. Some centres previously classified as day centres are now classified as special schools.

§ Mr. Reid
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the numbers of residential places in homes and hostels in Scotland for both mentally ill and men-
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to lay down detailed guidelines for the use of electro-convulsive therapy. The Royal College of Psychiatrists has, however, recently produced guidelines laying down precise standards for its use, and I am sure that these will be observed by the profession.

ADULT TRAINING CENTRES
	1971^*	1972 (at end December) Places available	1973	1974	1976†(at end March)
Local Authority	…	…	…	2,348	2,571	3,207	3,156	3,693
Voluntary	…	…	…	485	329	205	223	572
^*No information available for Selkirk county.
†The increase in voluntary places between 1974 and 1976 is in large measure due to a revised method of collecting the information.

DAY CENTRES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED‡
	1971	1972(at end December)Places available	1973	1974	1976§ (at end March)
Local Authority	…	…	…	424	531	604	722	495
Voluntary	…	…	…	244	230	242	286	119
‡Day Centres for mentally handicapped may have a number of persons who are physically handicapped or mentally ill. It is not possible to distinguish the number who are mentally ill.
§ The decrease in the numbers between 1974 and 1976 arises mainly from responsibility for mentally handicapped children up to 16 years of age being transferred from social work departments to education departments following coming into operation of the Education (Mentally Handicapped Children) (Scotland) Act 1974. Some centres previously classified as day centres are now classified as special schools.