§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what experience his Department has in the establishment and running of detoxification units for drunken persons; where these units are situated; what are the costs of establishing such units and what are the annual running costs; what staff, in relation to number and qualifications, are required; and, in relation to the facilities provided, what has been the average rate of occupancy and utilisation.
§ Mr. Moyle:The report of the Home Office working party on habitual drunken offenders (1971) recommended that experimental detoxification units should be 73W established to test whether habitual drunken offenders could benefit from detoxification as part of the treatment and rehabilitation services. Two such units have been authorised. The Leeds unit opened in May 1976 and is managed by a voluntary organisation, the St. Anne's Shelter and Housing Action; the Manchester unit opened in November 1977 as part of the Withington hospital. Two different settings were chosen deliberately to test different ways of providing detoxification within a range of treatment and rehabilitation services. The Leeds unit was established at an estimated capital cost of some £120,000; the associated running costs for the three year experimental period from May 1976 are expected to be of the order of £500,000. The corresponding figures for the Manchester unit are estimated at £350,000 and £525,000 for three years from November 1977. Since both units are experimental, the emphasis in appointing staff has been on experience and qualifications. The Leeds unit has an equal number of nurses and social workers, whilst the hospital unit in Manchester has more medical and nursing staff than social workers. Detailed staling arrangements are the responsibility of the units' management, and are varied to suit local circumstances. The Leeds unit now has 24 places and from May 1976 to 31st October 1978 admitted 671 individuals. The Manchester unit with 15 places has admitted 252 individuals since its opening in November 1977 to 31st October 1978.