Mr. John David Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many beds are available for the elderly mentally infirm in Ards district; what are their locations; how many elderly mentally infirm patients from Ards district are in Downshire hospital, Downspatrick; and what proposals he has to increase the number of beds for the elderly mentally infirm in Ards district.
§ Mr. NeedhamThere ar no beds specifically designated for the elderly mentally infirm in the Ards district. The number of such patients in the Downshire hospital is not known but the latest available figures show that there were 361 in-patients aged 65 or over in the hospital at 31 December 1986.
The eastern health and social services boards area strategic plan for the period 1987–92 contains a number of proposals for the development of new facilities including a 45-place residential home for the mentally confused elderly in the North Down and Ards area. It is a matter for the board to determine the priority to be accorded to each proposal.
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