§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mentally ill people received treatment as in-patients and out-patients in the Durham health authority area during the years 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987 to date.
§ Mrs. CurrieI regret that I am unable to give the hon. Member the exact information he requires. Information on numbers of mentally ill people receiving treatment is not centrally collected.
The available information on admission for in-patient care and attendances at out-patient clinics is shown in the table. It is possible for a person to be admitted more than once in one year or to attend an out-patient clinic several times. Central records cannot identify admissions or attendances for one person.
Up until the end of 1986 information was collected by calendar year. No information is available yet for 1987.
Durham Health Authority: Menial illness hospitals and units 1985 1986 Admissions to mental illness hospitals and units 725 725 Out patient attendances' (old and new patients) at mental illness clinics 7,962 7,652 1 Clinics conducted anywhere by hospital psychiatric medical staff.