§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if in the light of the closure of Middlewood hospital, in the Trent health authority, he will provide bridging funds to avoid damage to other services.
§ Mrs. CurrieMiddlewood mental illness hospital is being run down on a phased basis and is due to close in 1994 by which time more community-orientated replacement services will have been developed. Bridging funds to support the build-up of the new service are already being provided by the Trent regional health authority within its existing allocation. The regional and district health authorities are keeping both the financing arrangements and the pace of service change under review.