§ 24. Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement regarding the quality of care given to mentally handicapped patients in mental hospitals and the quality of management in such hospitals.
§ Mr. YeoOver the years there has been a significant improvement in standards in the long-stay hospitals, but there is no room for complacency. Guidance issued last October reminded health authorities of the need to ensure that whilst these hospitals remain a satisfactory level of care must be maintained. They should aim to ensure through contracts with providers that the quality of care in these hospitals improves at least in line with improvements in the quality of care generally.