§ Mr. FishburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the staffed beds in mental illness hospitals and units in England in 1988 were unoccupied; and what information he has on the average mental illness hospital bed occupancy rates recommended by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
§ Mr. FreemanAt the end of 1986, the latest year for which occupancy figures are currently available, about 15 per cent, of the available beds in National Health Service mental illness hospitals and units in England were unoccupied. The Department is aware of the Royal College's observations on bed occupancy rates but considers that with the wide variation in service requirements, it would not be appropriate to set general targets for occupancy rates.