§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many consultant psychiatrists with an interest in the elderly there are in (a) Mersey regional health authority and (b) the North-West regional health authority; how many patients each consultant has in each of the two regions; and if he is satisfied with the level of provision.
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§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI understand that(a) in Mersey region there are three such consultant psychiatrists, with a further post currently being advertised; and (b) in North-Western region there are five such consultants, with two further posts advertised and another to be advertised shortly. Information on the number of patients of each consultant is not held centrally, and the hon. Member may like to approach the health authorities concerned for this additional information.
In both the White Paper "Growing Older" and "Care in Action", published earlier this year, we stressed the importance we attach to the appointment within each health district of a consultant psychiatrist with a special interest in the elderly and shall not be satisfied until this has been done.