§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to local authorities in respect of services they provide for people with a mental handicap and the role of specialist mental handicap nurses in the provision of such services.
§ Mr. DorrellThe Department recently issued for consultation a draft circular giving specific guidance to local authorities on services for people with learning disabilities (mental handicap) together with a parallel draft health circular on the role of the NHS in providing health care for this client group. There is a long-term requirement for trained mental handicap nurses and we are currently considering with professional and other interests how nurses' skills and experience can best be made available in the new pattern of services.