§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements he has requested local hous- 800W ing authorities to make with health authorities to meet the needs of homeless patients discharged from psychiatric and general hospitals who are eligible for help under the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977; and whether he is satisfied with these arrangements.
§ Mr. ArmstrongParagraph A 1.11 of the Code of Guidance issued in association with the Act draws attention to the value of links between housing authorities, area health authorities and social services authorities in respect of people being discharged from hospitals and stresses the need for close co-operation between housing and social services authorities. The Code also draws attention, in paragraph 2.12 to the help which area health authorities and social services authorities can give in assessing those who may be vulnerable because of mental illness or handicap or physical disability.
The Code was drawn up after an extensive period of consultation. No cases of difficulty with these arrangements have been drawn to my attention.