§ Lord Mottistoneasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many "beds" are available or are planned to be available for mentally ill persons in mental hospitals:
(a) Now; (b) In 1986; (c) In 1988; and (d) In 1990; and
How many "beds" are available or are planned to be available for mentally handicapped persons in mental hospitals: (a) Now; (b) In 1986; (c) In 1988; and (d) In 1990; and
How many mentally ill persons are provided with or are planned to be provided with care in small homely units near a patient's home: (a) Now; (b) In 1986, (c) In 1988; and (d) In 1990; and
134WAHow many mentally handicapped persons are provided with or are planned to be provided with care in small homely units near a patient's home: a) Now; (b) In 1986; (c) In 1988: and (d) In 1990.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Glenarthur)Provisional figures indicate that on 31st December 1982, the latest date for which figures are available, the total number of available beds in mental illness hospitals and units in England was 83,510. The corresponding figure for mental handicap hospitals and units was 46,456. It is not possible to identify centrally how much of this provision is in small homely units near to patients' homes.
Regional health authorities are currently preparing new strategic plans, covering a 10-year period, for the whole range of services they provide, including those for mentally ill people and those for mentally handicapped people. These plans will be generally available by 1985. They will reflect consultation with local authorities, and the increasing numbers of sponsored and unsponsored places for mentally ill people and mentally handicapped people in hostels, homes and ordinary housing.