HL Deb 20 January 2000 vol 608 cc157-8WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many additional beds in secure wings of mental or general hospitals have been provided, for use by mentally-ill prisoners, in each of the last three years; and how many they expect to provide this year and in the coming three years. [HL535]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

The information requested is not available. Psychiatric beds for treatment of patients transferred from prison are not specifically designated within general or secure hospitals. The number of remand and convicted prisoners who were directed by the Home Secretary to hospital for assessment and treatment under provisions in the Mental Health Act 1983 in the past three years is shown in the following table:

Section of Menial Health Act 1997 1998 1999 (provisional)1
Section 47 251 254 247
Section 48 508 493 442
Total 759 747 689
1 The 1999 figures have not yet been fully updated, and are expected to rise.

In addition, over 1,000 other offenders are admitted to hospital each year whilst on remand or on conviction on the order of the courts.

By April 2001 we intend to have an extra 250 National Health Service secure places in addition to the 221 places planned this year—delivering well above the target set in the Mental Health National Service Framework of 300 extra places by April 2002.