§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the substantial annual increase in the aged population, if he is satisfied that enough beds are available for the admission of psychogeriatric patients, and that enough experienced nurses are deployed to maintain routine round the clock care.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergWe recognise psychiatric provision for the elderly as an important and difficult area where the quantity and standard of provision varies across the country. The number of old people, and especially of very old people, has been increasing for many years and will continue to grow for a considerable number of years to come. For these reasons we indicated in "Care in Action" that health authorities should regard it as a priority to provide enough suitable accommodation within each district, and also expressed our concern about the availability of appropriately qualified nurses for mental illness services generally.