HC Deb 24 March 1986 vol 94 cc349-50W
Mr. Millan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients there are at present in the State hospital, Carstairs, subject to a restriction order whose transfer to an ordinary National Health Service hospital he has authorised; how long each of them has been waiting for such a transfer; and what steps he is taking to facilitate their transfer.

Mr. Rifkind

There are at present three patients in the state hospital subject to restriction orders whose transfer to an ordinary mental hospital I have approved. One patient has been waiting for a suitable place in another hospital for two months since my approval was given for his transfer; a second patient has been waiting for three weeks to be transferred; and the transfer of the third patient has only been approved within the past week. I expect all three patients to be transferred from the state hospital during the next month or so.

Mr. Millan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients there are at present in the State hospital, Carstairs, not subject to a restriction order whose transfer to an ordinary National Health Service hospital has been approved; in how many of these cases an ordinary National Health Service hospital has agreed in principle to a transfer; in how many cases an agreement in principle is still being sought;; how long each patient in each category has been waiting for transfer; and what steps he is taking to facilitate their transfer.

Mr. Rifkind

This information is as follows:

  1. (1) Number of patients in the State Hospital not subjct to a restriction order whose transfer to an ordinary National Health Service hospital has been approved: 16.
  2. (2) Number of cases included under (1) where an ordinary National Health Service hospital has agreed in principle to a transfer: 4.
  3. (3) Number of cases included under (1) where agreement in principle is still being sought: 12.
  4. (4) Length of time in months each patient included under (2) has been waiting for transfer: 1, 6, 30, 32.
  5. (5) Length of time in months each patient included under (3) has been waiting for transfer: 1(2 patients), 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 (2 patients), 16 (2 patients), 22, 31.
Responsibility for the transfer of patients in the state hospital who are not under a restriction order rests with their responsible medical officer and the medical sub-committee. During the past year 70 patients were assessed as suitable to be transferred or discharged from the state hospital, and most of these were placed without any difficulty. A minority of patients cannot be transferred very easily for various reasons. Every effort is made by the state hospital to transfer patients who have been waiting to leave the hospital for some time.