HC Deb 04 June 1984 vol 61 cc30-1W
Ms. Harman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many bed spaces have been approved under the programme for the replacement of the Camberwell resettlement unit in each of the years 1981– 82, 1982– 83 and 1983– 84, (a) for low and medium care schemes, (b) for high care schemes and (c) for direct access schemes.

.Dr Boyson

The number of bed-spaces approved by the DHSS under the programme for the replacement of Camberwell resettlement unit in each of the years 1981– 82, 1982– 83 and 1983– 84 was:

1981–82 1982–83 1983–84
Low/medium care 68 135 6
High care 20 6
Direct Access

Ms. Harman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what allocation has been made for 1984–8 5 and is planned for 1985–8 6 to fund the replacement of the Camberwell resettlement unit; and how many bed spaces should be approved in each of the following categories (a) low and medium care, (b) high care and (c) direct access schemes.

.Dr Boyson

The DHSS allocation for 1984–85 is £ 1.889 million and 1985–86 £ 1.273 million. Take-up of these allocations will depend on the rate of development of schemes for which DHSS capital funding has been approved, and on the opening dates for projects already approved for revenue topping-up funding.

In 1984–85 we expect to approve 274 places in the low-medium/high care categories. Of these, 69 low/medium care places have already been approved. Over 200 further places, evenly split between low/medium and high care are under consideration. We are also negotiating with voluntary organisations and a number of local authorities about the provision of 130 direct access places. During 1985–86 we hope to approve the remainder of the 985 places planned under the scheme. All of these are likely to be in low/medium care schemes.

Ms. Harman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements are proposed for the remaining residents of the Camberwell resettlement unit if it is closed by the end of 1985, including provision for casual users.

.Dr Boyson

The bed capacity of the unit is 300, consisting of 100 places for casuals and 200 for residents. The replacement programme provided for the approval of 130 direct access places for casuals this year. If not enough of these places are available by the time the unit closes next year, arrangements will be made for the other London resettlement units to make up the shortfall until all the direct access projects are functioning.

The remaining residents will be transferred either to projects opened under the replacement programme or to other London Resettlement Units.

The four London health authorities will accept responsibility for those residents who need longer term health care. The process of assessing residents' need for such care has begun and some transfers to hospital have already taken place.