§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of mentally handicapped children currently in NHS hospital care in(a) the north-west and (b) nationally. [36262]
Mr. BowlsThe table gives the number of children resident in national health service hospitals and units and under the care of a mental handicap consultant at 31 March 1995.
Age at 31 March 19951 0–14 15–19 North Western and Mersey2 10 20 England 120 190 The figures are estimates based on a combination of data from the hospital episode statistics system and data obtained directly from regional offices (and the former RHAs) and are rounded to the nearest 10. 1 Estimates of those in hospital under the care of a learning disability consultant. 2 All health authorities under North Western and Mersey regional health authorities including South Cumbria merged to form North West regional office.