Chase Farm Hospital remains open

Ministers said patients in Victorian long-stay hospitals would be re-housed in the community by April 2004.

But the charity Turning Point says 16 institutions will remain open after the target date - and some until 2006.

The charity is calling for a new deadline of December 2004 - and �15m to fund the rehousing programme.

Long-stay hospitals Aston Hall, Derby Chase Farm, Enfield Earls House, Durham Fieldhead, Wakefield Gloucester Centre, Peterborough Gorse Hill, Leicestershire Highbury Hospital, Nottingham Lea Castle Hospital, Wolverley Little Highwood, Brentwood Little Plumstead, Norwich Long Leys Court, Lincolnshire Monkton, South Shields Oak House, Shrewsbury Orchard Hill Hospital, Carshalton Princess Marina, Northampton Prudhoe and Northgate, Northumberland Ridge Hill Hospital, Stourbridge St Catherine's Doncaster St Ebbas, Epsom

In total, 752 people with a learning disability still live in long-stay hospitals in England even though they are not ill.

A government White Paper, published in 2001, made a commitment to close the remaining hospitals, with the aim of giving these people greater independence and an improved quality of life.

But Turning Point estimates there will still be at least 500 residents with learning disabilities in the institutions when the deadline passes for closure.

It says closing long-term hospitals has not been sustained as a political priority, and that progress has often been stalled in the face of other pressing targets.

Lord Victor Adebowale, Turning Point's chief executive, said: "These people are not ill and a hospital is not a home where they can live full lives.

"The government has a fantastic opportunity to become the administration that finally gives every person with a learning disability an independent home within the community.

"This is one NHS waiting list that it could permanently close."

Health Minister Stephen Ladyman said: "Rob Greig, the National Director for Implementation of Valuing People, routinely meets with the relevant authorities to discuss their progress and plans for providing alternative accommodation.

"He is due to report back shortly and I will then decide if further action needs to be taken."