§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines are in place for the management and multi-agency response to the initial onset of an acute psychiatric emergency occurring in the community; and if she will make a statement. [25931]
§ Mr. BowisThe Mental Health act code of practice provides guidance to practitioners on the steps to be taken if a patient requires emergency psychiatric assessment in the community. Copies of the code are available in the Library.
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if her Department has, within the past year, made strategic recommendations on how best to allocate mental health expenditure in relation to needs for services. [26075]
§ Mr. BowisThe annual priorities and planning guidance for the national health service sets the broad direction for the planning and delivery of health services for the coming year. The guidance for 1995–96 identifies mental health as a priority for the medium term. It is the responsibility of district health authorities to prepare local health strategies and purchasing plans to address the national priorities whilst also taking full account of local health needs. A copy of the guidance for 1995–96— EL(94)55—is available in the Library.
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the organisations that were involved in her Department's consultation process prior to the publication of the Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Bill. [26019]