§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people his Department estimates need access to medium-secure psychiatric care; and how many beds are available in each region. [14878]
§ Mr. BowisThe Glancy committee in 1974 recommended a total of 1,000 medium secure beds. By 1979, there were none provided. We are now on target to reach a total of 1,200 places in medium-secure units by the end of this year. A further 300 secure places are being developed from the mainstream NHS capital programme. In addition, there are about 450 places in other secure units and some 400 NHS-purchased places in the independent sector.
Assessment of further local needs is the responsibilities of the health authorities concerned.
For the number of beds in each NHS region, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones) on 5 February, Official Report, columns 19–20.