§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give an assurance that recommendations by mental health review tribunals or responsible medical 492W officers for transfer of patients from special hospitals to county hospitals will be carried out as soon as is possible; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenOver 120 patients leave special hospitals every year on transfer to local NHS hospitals. For those patients who are subject to a restriction order, the transfer recommendation requires the approval of ray right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. We are satisfied that the majority of transfer recommendations are considered promptly. Many of those transferred move within six months of the recommendation being made. In some cases local hospital consultants do not share the view that the patient is ready to leave the special hospital and negotiations for transfer then become more protracted. In other cases patients who have been accepted by their local hospital have to wait for a suitable bed and facilities to become available.