HC Deb 26 January 1995 vol 253 cc337-8W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many long-stay mental handicap hospitals in England are still open.

Mr. Bowis

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Dulwich (Ms Jowell) on 27 October 1994 at column821.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of remaining residents in long-stay mental hospitals in England.

Mr. Bowis

It is estimated that at 31 March 1994 there were 11,500 people with mental handicap needs and with a length of stay of one year or more, in national health service hospitals.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many long-stay mental handicap hospitals do not yet have an agreed closure plan;

(2) what plans she has to close the remaining long-stay mental handicap hospitals;

(3) how many long-stay mental handicap hospitals have closed;

(4) what are the closure dates of the remaining long-stay mental handicap hospitals.

Mr. Bowis

Under Departmental guidance HSG(92)42, copies of which are in the Library, health authorities should work with matching social services departments in planning the transfer of residents and the resources to support them to the community by a mutually agreed date. No deadlines have been set but the aim is to close the old long-stay mental handicap hospitals as soon as practicable. No central record is kept of proposed and actual closure dates.