asked the Minister for Health the total number of people aged 60 years or over living in institutions; and if he will establish a charter of rights outlining their entitlements as individuals to privacy, personal possessions, decent facilities, accommodation, and minimum income.
Written Answers. - Residents of Institutions.
44.
: Returns for the year 1975 show a total of 12,517 persons over 60 years of age living in institutions for the aged. This figure does not include long-term patients in psychiatric hospitals.
It does not seem necessary to establish a formal charter of rights for such persons but the guide for hospital managements which I have recently issued to hospital authorities contains a number of recommendations which would relate to geriatric institutions and cover some of the points referred to by the Deputy—for example, right to privacy and adequate facilities.
As regards the question of a minimum income for old persons living in institutions, this is primarily a matter for each health board, who usually allow old persons in institutions to retain a sufficient amount from their Social Welfare allowances or pensions to meet their personal needs. Persons living in health institutions who have no income are usually paid an allowance of £2 or £3 per week for their own use by the health board.