HL Deb 27 February 1997 vol 578 cc1273-5

3.10 p.m.

Baroness Turner of Camden asked Her Majesty's Government:

In view of the time needed to implement any of the options for changes to the mental health services as outlined in the Green Paper, what measures they intend in response to the concerns expressed in the reports by Sir David Goldberg and the National Association of Health Authorities and Trusts, published in January.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)

My Lords, the report's findings do not come as a surprise, as many of the concerns raised had already been addressed through policy initiatives such as the publication of Spectrum of Care which advised health authorities on a range of services needed to provide a comprehensive mental health service.

Baroness Turner of Camden

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that response. But is she not aware that situation is causing grave concern to a number of organisations specifically involved in this area, notably the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, to which I am indebted for the briefing? It has informed me that, despite being a priority service, funding is inadequate and staff shortages and recruitment problems are rife in the service and that steps could be taken without waiting for the results of the Green Paper, which I gather we are expecting in due course.

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, I appreciate the concern. London tends to attract mentally ill people in larger numbers. We have specifically ensured that London has an increase in funding to deal with this problem. Overall in the current year we have allocated an additional £95 million to the whole of the country. Some of that will go to London. We have reorganised the allocation system so that it is weighted towards London. We have also seen an increase in the number of community psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists and clinical psychologists.

Baroness Jay of Paddington

My Lords, does the Minister accept that a bad situation in London has been made worse by the closure of 2,000 acute sector beds since 1992? I must declare an interest as a member of the London commission which published one of the reports referred to in the Question. Surely the Department of Health could take short-term measures, partly in allowing there to be a moratorium on the closure of more acute beds and also on building on some of the good practice which is referred to in the NAHAT report, particularly about the formation of community mental health teams.

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, I appreciate the points the noble Baroness has made. We are seeing an increase in the number of beds staffed by nurses on a 24-hour basis. Two hundred have been introduced in the current year and there is more funding for next year. The noble Baroness is right. We need more mental health teams. Five new ones have been established in London in the past year or so. The position is well under control. When the Green Paper is put into action, I am sure that will also improve the services.

Lord Thurlow

My Lords, is the noble Baroness prepared to consider the proposal of the National Association of Health Authorities and Trusts that the mental health component of the allocation of funds to local authorities should be ring-fenced to stop them being drained away into other uses?

Baroness Cumberlege

My Lords, that is the position with the homeless mentally ill initiative, which goes to local authorities. Indeed, £23 million has gone into London. That has supported the outreach teams. Ten hostels and 180 units of permanent move-on accommodation have also been developed.