HC Deb 03 March 1980 vol 980 cc72-3W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which regional health authorities have not yet submitted plans for a regional secure psychiatric unit; and what the reasons are for the delay.

Sir George Young

South-West Thames, North-West Thames and East Anglia regional health authorities have not so far submitted proposals for regional secure psychiatric units for departmental approval.

South-West Thames, following consultations, expects to submit to the Department, in the very near future, proposals for a unit at Netherne hospital.

North-West Thames proposes establishing a unit at St. Bernard's wing, Ealing hospital, and has been engaged in consultation on this, but plans are not yet sufficiently far advanced for a submission to be made to the Department. Approval has just been given for the appointment of a consultant in forensic psychiatry to assist in the planning of, and thereafter, the work in, the unit.

In East Anglia, a consultant forensic psychiatrist took up post last September, following which there have been informal meetings with local trades unions and staff which resulted in agreement in principle to the siting of a unit at St. Andrew's hospital. It is hoped a consultation will be issued in the next few weeks.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide full details of the use made by each regional health authority of the money allocated to it for the establishment of a gional secure psychiatric unit.

Sir George Young

The Department will be receiving this information for 1979–80 from each regional health authority shortly: as soon as it has been checked and collated I will send it to the hon. Member and place a copy in the Library of the House.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the 1980–81 special revenue allocation for regional secure psychiatric units for each regional health authority and the total received for each regional health authority since 1976; and how much has been spent so far by each authority on the provision of regional secure psychiatric units.

Sir George Young

On 1980–81 special revenue allocations I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Hammersmith, North (Mr. Soley) on 4 February 1980.—[Vol. 978, c.67–8.]

As regards special revenue allocations since 1976 and expenditure by health authorities on the provision of regional secure psychiatric units, I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend gave him on 12 June 1979.—[Vol. 978, c. 212–13.]—Later information is not yet available.