§ 40. Mr. Sainsburyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether all transfers between local psychiatric hos- 608W pitals and special hospitals are made on the basis of an assessment of the individual patient's condition and the appropriate degree of security for his or her therapeutic needs.
§ Mr. MoyleYes. Each case is considered on its merits and the decision is based on the individual needs of the patient.
It is not, however, always possible to effect the transfer of a patient from a special hospital to the appropriate hospital when this is first recommended. The reasons for this are varied and I explained in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 20 November the steps we take to try to overcome these difficulties.—[Vol. 958, c. 493.]