§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for the further improvement in National Health Service provision for geriatrics and psycho-geriatrics.
§ Mr. John PattenI shall continue to encourage health authorities to develop acute geriatric services providing assessment, acute treatment and rehabilitation so that elderly people with health problems receive the treatment they need to enable them to return home quickly whenever this is possible. For those who need long-term nursing care, the three experimental nursing homes which we are funding will explore ways of providing care in a more home-like atmosphere. As regards psycho-geriatric provision, an extra £6 million has been made available over the next three years to help set up comprehensive integrated psychiatric services for elderly people with mental illness.