HC Deb 18 April 1989 vol 151 cc128-9W
Mr. Goodlad

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has as to how many people discharged from mental illness hospitals in Northern Ireland in the last year after a main diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses, having been proved vulnerable boarders, subsequently became voluntary boarders.

Mr. Needham

This information is not available.

Mr. Goodlad

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many local authority residential places are currently available for those discharged from mental illness hospitals in Northern Ireland; what is the current rate of occupancy; and what are the projected figures for the next two years.

Mr. Needham

Statutory residential accommodation for the mentally ill in Northern Ireland is provided by the four health and social services boards. On 31 December 1987 the boards' homes and hostels provided 202 places for the mentally ill. The occupancy rate was 73.3 per cent. Information on projected figures for the next two years is not available centrally.

Mr. Goodlad

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many mental illness beds there were in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and what was the rate of occupancy; and what is the planned number for the current year.

Mr. Needham

The numbers for each of the last five years for which information is available are as follows:

Year Beds Occupancy rate
1983 4,732 79.3
1984 4,599 78.8
1985 4,478 81.99
1986 4,330 79.7
1987 4,163 80.2

The planned number for the current year is not available centrally.

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