HL Deb 15 July 1994 vol 556 cc115-6WA
Lord Mottistone

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they agree with the Ritchie report that urgent consideration of the probable need for an increased number of psychiatric hospital beds in every inner city area is required: and, if so, when action to meet that need can be expected.

Baroness Cumberlege

The Ritchie report recommendation for an increased number of beds related specifically to general psychiatric wards in London. The Mental Health Task Force has been asked to work with health authorities in the London initiative zone to identify key issues around the delivery of services for severely mentally ill people, including the management of general psychiatric beds, and to agree action plans to address identified problems. A report on this work will be with Ministers shortly. Generally, it is the responsibility of health authorities covering inner city areas to assess the needs of their mentally ill population for hospital beds and to work with National Health Service trusts and other providers of mental health services to ensure that a sufficient number of beds are available to meet those needs.