HC Deb 07 March 1984 vol 55 cc618-9W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish in the Official Report the number and location of regional secure units planned and in the course of construction, giving in each case the number of beds which will be provided;

(2) if he will publish in the Official Report the number and location of regional secure units giving the number of beds available and the occupancy life thereof.

Mr. John Patten

The following table summarises the current provision of permanent regional secure units and gives the latest available information on regional health authorities' plans to provide additional units.

Permanent Regional Secure Units
Regional Summary
Region Current Position
Northern RSU at St. Luke's Hospital, Middlesbrough (30 beds) opened November 1980
Yorkshire RSU at Fieldhead Hospital, Wakefield (48 beds) completed. First patients expected to be admitted by mid 1984.
Trent RSU at Towers Hospital, Leicester (60 beds) opened July 1983.
East Anglian RSU at St. Andrew's Hospital, Norwich (36 beds) completed September 1983. Unit to admit first patients in May 1984. RHA propose gradual bringing into use.
North West Thames Tenders for RSU at St. Bernard's Hospital, Ealing (40 beds) under consideration by RHA and Department. Building expected to start this year
North East Thames 10-bed RSU at Runwell Hospital near Southend, operational. RHA considering proposals for two further units

Region Current Position
South East Thames Multi-site RSU scheme (total 90 beds) under construction. All units due for completion towards the end of 1984, or early 1985
South-West Thames RHA is planning 25-bed RSU at Netherne Hospital, near Coulsdon
Wessex Conversion work to provide 31-bed RSU at Knowle Hospital, near Fareham, started October 1983. Due for completion October 1984
Oxford Planning is proceeding for a 20-bed RSU at Borocourt Hospital, near Reading. RHA are reassessing policy for security for mentally ill people in the light of their strategic shift towards community-based services
South-Western RSU at Langdon Hospital, Dawlish (30 beds) admitted first patients June 1983. Planning at advanced stage for second RSU at Glenside Hospital, Bristol (30 beds).
West Midlands Plans have been approved for 100-bed RSU at Rubery Hill Hospital, Birmingham. Building expected to start late 1984/early 1985.
Mersey RSU at Rainhill Hospital, St. Helens (50 beds) admitted first patients August 1983.
North-Western 20-bed RSU for adolescents at Prestwich Hospital, near Manchester, in process of commissioning; expected to open 1984.. 88-bed RSU for adults, also at Prestwich Hospital, is under construction and should be completed in November 1984

In all the four purpose-built units now open, staff and patients are being built up gradually. On 30 September 1983, 20 beds were staffed and available at St. Luke's hospital, Middlesbrough; 15 at Towers hospital, Leicester; 10 at Langdon hospital, Dawlish; and 30 at Rainhill hospital, St. Helens. The 10-bed Runwell unit, which is in adapted accommodation, is fully operational.