§ Lord Broxbourneasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware of the observations made by the Lord Chief Justice on 21st January regarding hospital facilities for mentally sub-normal patients, and what action they propose.
The Earl of CaithnessWe are aware of the general observations by the Lord Chief Justice in the Appeal Court on 21st January, when the court made a hospital order under the Mental Health Act 1983 affecting a particular appellant. Those observations will he taken into account by the department in the continuing development of services for mentally disordered people, and we are seeking clarification of some aspects of the Lord Chief Justice's concern. Where, as in the particular case before the Appeal Court on 21st January, a person satisfies the criteria 381WA for admission to the special hospital and the court is disposed to make a hospital order to that effect, a place will be provided in a special hospital. Admission to hospitals in the National Health Service is the responsibility of the NHS authorities; under Section 39 of the Mental Health Act 1983, a regional health authority may be required to furnish a court with information about the availability of suitable hospital facilities in its own region or elsewhere. The development of NHS regional secure units is continuing. At the end of 1984, seven such units were open; seven others were completed and undergoing commissioning; two more, currently under construction, were expected to be completed during 1985; and four other units were at various stages of planning.