asked the Minister for Health the number of mentally handicapped persons who are on the waiting lists for residential care in the administrative area of the North-Western Health Board, distinguishing between adults and children.
Written Answers. - Mentally Handicapped.
516.
The North-Western Health Board recently completed a comprehensive study of the mentally handicapped population and the services provided and available to that population in the region. The results of that study will be published shortly.
The board's philosophy and policy in relation to the provision of residential care for the mentally handicapped, with the exception of short-term care/ temporary relief, is that it should only be offered and available as a last resort after all other alternatives such as family support and hostel accommodation have proved unsuitable.
The present position is that there are 20 adults waitlisted for admission to residential centres in the board's area. However, it is anticipated that only a small number will eventually require residential care and that the remainder will continue to live in their respective communities with all the necessary support services provided. Only one child is waitlisted for residential care and a place will be offered to that child in due course. In the meantime, pending placement in residential care, periods of short-term relief are available to this child's family.