asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) in how many area health authorities psychogeriatric beds are available (a) for active treatment for those aged 65 years or over and (b) for long-stay treatment for those aged 65 years or over;(2) in how many area health authority areas psychogeriatric beds are available (
a) for active treatment for those aged 65 years or over and ( b) for long-stay treatment for those aged 65 years or over.
I regret that this information is not available centrally. The statistical information to be returned with the 1978–79 regional strategic plans should, however, make it possible to identify the total number of beds for the elderly severely mentally infirm currently available in hospital and the plans authorities are making for developing such provisions.