§ Mr. Simon Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what representations he has received about the Health Advisory Services' Report "Bridges Over Troubled Waters"; and whether he will make a statement;
(2) whether he is satisfied with the national provision for the treatment of disturbed adolescents; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe have received several representations about the Report's references to the Bethlem and Maudsley hospitals, but none about the wider issues which the report addresses.
"Bridges Over Troubled Waters" highlights shortcomings in the services provided by the various authorities concerned with the care and treatment of disturbed adolescents. It contains over 100 recommendations for improvements. The majority of the recommendations are for action which can be taken at local level to improve the co-ordination and effectiveness of services. We shall this week be issuing a health notice inviting health and social services authorities to consider, in the light of these recommendations, what measures they can take to secure a more effective service.