§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what safeguards he recommends to ensure 590W that patients discharged from long-term institutional psychiatric or mental handicap care have an appropriate place to go to in the community.
§ Mr. John PattenWe expect health and local authorities to work together, with voluntary organisations where appropriate, in planning the transfer of patients from long-term hospital care in order to ensure that there is appropriate alternative provision available. Decisions on discharges are for those people directly responsible for clinical care and we expect them to assure themselves that sound arrangements have been made for a patient's accommodation and whatever continuing support is required before he or she leaves hospital.