HC Deb 11 May 1981 vol 4 cc198-200W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if, during the second half of the International Year of Disabled People, he will improve speech therapy services in the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if, during the second half of the International Year of Disabled People, he will improve facilities in the National Health Service for the deaf and the blind; and if he will make a statement;

(3) if during the second half of the International Year of Disabled People, he will improve geriatric facilities in the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement;

(4) if, during the second half of the International Year of Disabled People, he will improve facilities in the National Health Service for the mentally handicapped; and if he will indicate what measures have been taken thus far by his Department this year.

Mr. Rossi

Decisions about the provision of services are for health authorities. The Government have given guidance on the main policies and priorities which they expect them to follow in "Care in Action" which was published earlier this year. I know that, within their limited resources, the authorities are anxious to do everything possible to further the aims of the international year.

With respect to services for the mentally handicapped, progress is being made in the key areas set out in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 15 December 1980.—[Vol. 996, c. 40.]

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures have been taken specifically on behalf of blind and deaf children by his Department thus far during the International Year of Disabled People.

Mr. Rossi

The Department has already taken some measures, and has others under consideration, for action to help blind and deaf people of all ages during the International Year of Disabled People. Measures which will particularly benefit children include the provision of new equipment in selected centres for the audiological testing of babies and a grant to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf towards the cost of a booklet on the hearing problems of children. Other measures specifically to benefit children are under consideration.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if, to mark the second half of the International Year of Disabled People, he will provide additional funds for the following disablement groups: Disability Alliance, Disabled Drivers' Motor Club, Disabled Living Foundation, Housebound Elderly and Disabled Support Scheme and Greater London Association for the Disabled;

(2) if, during the second half of the International Year of Disabled People, he will provide additional research funds for the Association to Combat Huntington's Chorea;

(3) if, during the second half of the International Year of Disabled People, he will provide additional research funds for the Parkinson's Disease Society;

(4) if, during the second half of the International Year of Disabled People, he will provide additional research funds for the Friedreich's Ataxia Group;

(5) if, to mark the second half of the International Year of Disabled People, he will provide additional research funds for each of the following organisations: Action Research for the Crippled Child, the National Association for the Deaf, Blind and Rubella Handicapped, the Society for the Prevention of Asbestosis and Industrial Diseases, the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association, the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association and the National Schizophrenia Fellowship.

Mr. Rossi

In 1980–81, the Department of Health and Social Security made special grants totalling over £120,000 to voluntary organisations connected with disabled people to mark the international year, and further special grants will be made in 1981–82. These grants are additional to continuing support provided for many of the bodies mentioned by the hon. Member.

The Department's funds for research are normally applied to studies commissioned directly from universities and research institutes and not used for the commissioning of research by other bodies.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, during the second half of the International Year of Disabled People, he will seek to increase public expenditure on research into heart disease and provide additional funds for heart pacemakers.

Mr. Rossi

In my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member on 22 January—[Vol. 997, c.215]—it was explained that this Department already encourages research in this field and that we were ready to consider whether additional research could be commissioned within the availability of financial and scientific resources. Within these constraints, any proposal for research into heart disease will be considered.

As regards the question of additional funding for heart pacemakers, I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's reply to him on 12 January.—[Vol. 996, c. 469–70].

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if, to mark the second half of the International Year of Disabled People, he will stop all closures of hospitals that treat those suffering from Huntington's Chorea, Parkinson's disease, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy and poliomyelitis; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if, to mark the second half of the International Year of Disabled People, he will stop all closures of hospitals that treat the mentally handicapped, the deaf and the blind; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rossi

Proposals for hospital closures originate with area health authorities and are made in response to changes in population, in patterns of illness, in medical practice and in social care. Some hospitals also need to be closed to make way for new developments. My right hon. Friend intervenes in these matters only where the AHA is unable to obtain the agreement of the local community to its proposals.