HC Deb 11 November 1988 vol 140 c352W
Mr. McCrindle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy with respect to retaining overall responsibility for the care of people with mental illness within the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

We have no plans to change the responsibility for care of people with mental illness within the National Health Service. Proposals for improvement of the service in the community have been put to Ministers by Sir Roy Griffiths and our response will be made as soon as possible.

Mr. McCrindle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy with regard to funds released from the run-down of large psychiatric hospitals being used within the National Health Service for the development of mental health services; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

Health authorities are asked to ensure that, generally, the proceeds of the sale of psychiatric hospital property are spent on the development of psychiatric services. Revenue and capital savings by changes in the operation of hospitals continuing in use are deployed by health authorities as they judge best in local circumstances.

Mr. McCrindle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy on health districts providing a wide range of residential accommodation for mentally ill persons planned according to local needs; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

Every health district should ensure the provision of a comprehensive range of services for mentally ill people, planned according to local needs. These services are likely to include residential care homes, nursing homes and hostels. The responsibility for providing these services rests with district health authorities and local authority social services departments, working in collaboration with the voluntary and private sectors.

Mr. McCrindle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many psychiatric services have a voluntary help organiser; what measures he proposes to take to encourage the increase of voluntary help organisers; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

I regret that we do not hold information centrally on the number of voluntary help organisers, whose responsibilities are not necessarily restricted to a particular specialty. It is for health authorities to determine the number of organisers needed, but long-standing departmental guidance encourages their appointment as an effective means of developing and co-ordinating voluntary help in hospitals.