§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will give the amount spent per capita by each regional health authority for residents of long-stay mental handicap hospitals during the past five years for which figures are available on individual furnishings and personal clothing; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will indicate the amount spent per capita per year for residents of long-stay mental handicap hospitals during the last five years on (a) dental treatment, (b) eye treatment, (c) hearing and (d) aids and appliances; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenI am afraid the information is not available centrally.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are taken to insure the personal possessions of residents of long-stay mental handicap hospitals; what advice is issued by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenHealth authorities have never been advised to insure the property of patients in their care, but guidance on arrangements for the custody of cash and valuables is contained in the "Hospital Memorandum on Patients' Moneys" (HM(71) 90). Detailed advice on the safe keeping of personal property of patients in hospitals is contained in a booklet "Patient's Property, Income and Allowances" which was commended to health authorities in a letter sent to all administrators of health authorities and secretaries of boards of governors on 21 September 1979. Copies of these documents are in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether residents of long-stay mental 464W handicap hospitals may maintain their own personal bank accounts or post office accounts; what advice his Department issues on this matter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenResidents in long-stay mental handicap hospitals are encouraged to bank or invest their money in their own name and are given every facility to do so. For more information on this subject, I refer the hon. Member to part II of the "Hospital Memorandum on Patients' Moneys" (HM(71)90), a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services who is responsible for the funeral costs of residents of long-stay mental handicap hospitals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenIn the first place, it is the responsibility of relatives, but health authorities have the power to arrange and pay for the funerals of patients who die in NHS hospitals where no arrangements are made by the relatives. They have been advised to do so where relatives cannot be traced, or cannot afford to pay for the funeral. In exceptional cases, where no suitable arrangements have been made or are being made, the local authority in whose district the body lies can arrange the funeral under section 50 of the National Assistance Act 1948.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of discharges by age of residents of long-stay mental handicap hospitals, by district, for the most recent three years for which figures are available; if he will specify the number of deaths; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenI shall let the hon. Member have such information as can be obtained without disproportionate cost as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether daily, weekly and yearly outings for a resident of a long-stay mental handicap hospital are paid for out of regional funds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenResidents of long-stay mental handicap hospitals go on frequent outings and the arrangements for funding them vary. While health authorities meet the cost of some, the cost of others may be met by voluntary or private organisations, relatives, friends or the patient himself.