§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will study the problems at the Chase hospital, Cannock, created by a pooled system of clothing for many geriatric long-term patients; if he will take steps to ensure that patients have individual clothing; if he will ensure that similar systems of pooling clothes are not used in other hospitals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:The Department has encouraged health authorities to provide a personal clothing service for patients in long-stay hospitals although, of course, it is for individual authorities to decide how and when to introduce such a service, bearing 369W in mind local priorities. I understand that the Staffordshire area health authority plans to open a laundrette at the Chase hospital, Cannock, in the very near future and that a full personal clothing service will be developed there as soon as staff are available.