§ 27. Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on progress in implementing care in the community as regards mentally handicapped patients.
§ Mr. NewtonSubstantial progress has been and is being made. The majority of mentally handicapped people continue to live with their families or independently, usually supported by local authority, health or voluntary services. The number of mentally handicapped people living in NHS hospitals continues to fall while the numbers living in local authority homes and hostels and in small NHS units in the community have been increasing. The provision of local authority day services has increased. Relevant figures are available in the Department's various publications on health and personal social services statistics, copies of which are available in the Library.