§ Paul HolmesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with learning disabilities are inappropriately accommodated in long-stay hospitals; when he expects to be able to provide more appropriate accommodation; and if he will make a statement. [170198]
§ Dr. LadymanThe Government are committed to the closure of the remaining long stay hospitals: it is not right that people with learning disabilities should live in1798W national health service accommodation on a long term basis. Strategic health authorities are responsible for ensuring that primary care trusts and NHS trusts are working in partnership with local authorities to develop and deliver plans that will achieve the closure of the remaining hospitals.
The latest information available (April 2004) is that 622 people are still living in long stay hospitals; this compares with about 1,500 when the White Paper, "Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century", was published in March 2001. It is disappointing that the 2004 closure date in "Valuing People" has been missed, but each remaining hospital now has an individually agreed closure date between now and April 2006.