§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for(a) each of the health authorities and (b) for Wales the number of places available in accommodation schemes for people with severe mental illness; what proposals he has to promote high-level support accommodation schemes for the severely mentally ill; and if he will make a statement. [10503]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsThe method of collecting this data does not differentiate between severe and other categories of mental illness. The following figures are the latest available for all mental illness accommodation:
Health authority NHS beds 1996–971 Private nursing home beds2 Residential places3 Bro Taf: 749 238 71 Morgannwg 670 182 122 Dyfed Powys 430 250 217 Gwent 403 619 40 North Wales 396 905 157 All Wales 2,648 2,194 607 1 Average daily available in the specialties of mental illness, child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry and old age psychiatry. 22 At 31 March 1996. 3 Homes that record client group as mental health (not including elderly mentally infirm). The all-Wales strategy on mental illness stipulates that a comprehensive range of services and facilities must be provided locally. Health authorities are responsible for assessing the mental health needs of their population and for delivering appropriate services, including accommodation, day and domiciliary facilities, to meet those needs.