§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what advice he has given to health authorities concerning the provision of facilities and finance for the development of the arts and of artistic therapy in hospitals;
(2) what encouragement he is giving to the growth of therapy through the creative arts within the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what studies exist of the value of the arts and of artistic therapy to hospital patients; and if he will make a statement:
285W(4)what is his policy on the extension of the use of the creative arts within hospitals; and if he will make a statement;
(5) what encouragement and resources are available for the development of the arts within hospitals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleFor many years art has been used for therapeutic purposes particularly when working with the mentally ill and mentally and physically handicapped and there is a widespread acceptance of its value, particularly in helping to overcome communication difficulties whether these have a psychological or physical cause. A wide variety of creative, artistic and diversional activities are organised in a great many NHS hospitals, and can make the most effective therapeutic contribution if they are related to the main rehabilitation programme for the patients and this can best be achieved through co-ordination by the occupational therapy departments. I am not aware of any major study that attempts an evaluation of art therapy and my Department has issued no advice to health authorities which is specifically related to its development. Resources devoted to the development of the arts within hospitals are not separately identified.
It is for individual health authorities to decide in the light of competing priorities the extent to which further developments could take place in the light of the views of clinicians, the nature of existing rehabilitation programmes and locally available skills.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what studies he has made of the use in the United States of America of the creative arts as a stimulus and therapy for patients in hospital; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleI am aware that many hospitals in the United States have developed a variety of therapies based on the creative arts. Many of these activities are paralleled at individual hospitals in this country. If my hon. Friend has any particular instance in mind perhaps he would like to write to me about it.