HC Deb 22 January 1987 vol 108 cc720-1W
Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance he gives to health authorities on procedure to be followed on the siting of homes for mentally handicapped people within the community; what discussions have taken place between officials of his Department and East Dorset health authority on this subject insofar as it relates to the proposed home at Broadlands, Ferndown; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

[pursuant to her reply, 21 January 1987]: Health authorities (as Crown bodies) are not generally subject to the Town and Country Planning Acts, but, where the proposed development would normally require a planning application, health authorities are required to consult the local planning authority in accordance with a non-statutory procedure laid down by the Department of the Environment.

Health authorities are given guidance on care in the community pilot projects (Annex E of HC(83)6/LAC(83) 5)* that siting of any residential accommodation should take account of the need to establish community links with access to the same health, education and social services, shops and transport, as are normally available to other people living in the community. Guidance to health authorities about the registration and inspection of nursing homes* issued by the Department and by the National Association of Health Authorities is concerned only with the control of standards and not with location.

The only discussion between officials of the Department and the East Dorset health authority about the proposed nursing home at Broadlands, Ferndown, has been to establish the facts, as the matter was drawn to the attention of my right hon. Friend. I understand that the health authority, in strict compliance with the above Department of the Environment non-statutory procedure, consulted the local planning authority regarding the proposed change of use of the premises, and formal notification of the proposal was passed to the local authority on 23 September with the request that it be dealt with as a matter of urgency. This was because of failures to obtain other suitable properties in the area against competition from other prospective purchasers.

The great majority of mentally handicapped people have always lived in the community. The Government's policy is to achieve a major shift from institutional care for mentally handicapped people to a range of community care according to individual needs, but with specialised residential health provision for people with special medical or nursing needs. The Government's response* to the report of the Social Services Committee on community care (Cmnd. 9674) said that the statutory authorities recognised the importance of carrying the wider community with them when the objective is enabling vulnerable people to play their full part in the community, and be accepted as part of it, and that voluntary work by people of all ages, and the involvement of local churches etc. are encouraging a sense of belonging, participation, sharing and mutual respect. Mentally handicapped people themselves are often their own best advocates.

* These publications are available in the Library.