§ Mr. Irvingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment he has made as to whether mental illness patients with a hospital stay of less than a month, who cannot return to their previous accommodation, can be provided for on discharge by local housing authorities under the Housing Act 1985.
§ Mrs. CurrieClinicians are expected to pay regard to the circumstances and needs of patients when arrange ments for discharge are being made. Health and local authorities should work together, in collaboration with the voluntary and private sectors, to provide a range of services, including accommodation, to meet the needs of former patients.
Local housing authorities have a statutory duty under the Housing Act 1985 to secure accommodation for those whom they judge to be in priority need. The definition of priority need includes mentally ill people and housing authorities are recommended by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment to consult health and social services authorities in assessing individual cases.