§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what latest measures he has taken to encourage the provision of more beds in geriatric wards in hospitals for persons suffering from mental senility, but otherwise physically fit, in Aberdeen and in Scotland, respectively.
§ Mr. Harry Ewing:Elderly patients with mental disability can be accommodated in geriatric, psychogeriatric or psychiatric wards in hospitals, and increasing emphasis is being given to this type of long-stay accommodation under the policy set forth in "The Way Ahead ". The major building programme provides for some 1,500 additional long-stay beds of which 1,100 will be for geriatric and 805W psychogeriatric patients. Further additional beds or improvements to existing facilities are being provided by health boards from their ordinary capital allocations.
Grampian health board has plans for additional beds for geriatric patients at Aberdeen City, Woodend/Glenburn Wing and Cornhill hospitals.