§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that the Royal College of Psychiatrists publishes a consensus statement agreed with other professional groups on discharge and aftercare procedures for mentally ill patients, as recommended in 1988 by the inquiry into the care and aftercare of Miss Sharon Campbell (Cm 440). [31943]
§ Mr. BowisThe agreement and publication of such a statement is a matter for the royal college and the other professional organisations.
§ Dr. JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of hospital beds which will continue to be needed for some patients for periods of over one year; and, of those, how many will be in(a) ordinary psychiatric hospitals and (b) medium secure units. [31941]
§ Mr. BowisIt is the responsibility of health authorities to assess the needs of their population and to ensure that sufficient beds are available to meet those needs.