§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the North-East Thames regional health authority is still refusing to accept mentally handicapped persons from the special hospitals; how many the regional health authority has refused in each of the last three years; what reasons it has given; and what steps are planned.
§ Sir George YoungIt has always been the policy of the North-East Thames RHA to encourage hospitals in the region to consider the transfer of any patient 91W from a special hospital. Mentally handicapped patients have been transferred from special hospitals to hospitals in the North East Thames region during the period referred to by the hon. Member. The detailed information sought by the hon. Member is not available centrally in the form requested and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.