§ 27. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what problems are being experienced by the Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley health authorities in providing sufficient places in secure units for mentally handicapped persons in each of those areas.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI am not aware of any current problems being experienced by the Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster health authorities in placing mentally handicapped people in need of secure facilities. The Department has been aware of problems regarding the placement of some individual patients during the past year, but, so far as I am aware, all of these cases have now been satisfactorily resolved. However, if the hon. Member knows of any particular difficulties which cannot be resolved locally perhaps he will write to me giving details and I will look into them.
At present Trent regional health authority has a 40-place unit providing medium secure accommodation for seriously disturbed mentally handicapped patients at Aston Hall hospital near Derby.