HC Deb 09 July 1986 vol 101 c168W
Mr. Irving

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what studies have been carried out on the effects of hospital run-down on patients and staff and in the build-up of alternative services.

Mr. Whitney

For some years many of the studies commissioned by the Department in the fields of mental illness and mental handicap have been concerned with the effectiveness of community oriented services. They have compared the new forms of care for patients with more traditional services and looked at ways in which problems can be overcome.

Amongst other studies on services in these areas, these have included: Evaluation of new services and of joint service planning for residents of Darenth Park. The experience of direct care staff involved in the transfer of residents from Leybourne Grange to living in the community. Evaluation of community care for mentally handicapped people in Wales. Several studies based on the development of services for mentally ill people at Worcester and the replacement of the existing services provided by Powick hospital. A building evaluation by the Department's building directorate. A study of long stay patients in Goodmayes hospital. Evaluation of the transition for patients at Friern hospital, from psychiatric hospital to district based services.

All these studies seek to assist in the complex tasks of planning and the provision of services, as care for those with mental illness or mental handicap becomes more firmly located in primary care settings.