§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what sums of money, out of the totals announced in his oral statement of 12 December,Official Report, column 1330, as being allocated to mental health care, will be used for providing (a) single-sex ward areas, (b) half-spindle locks on doors and (c) moves towards safe and therapeutic environments, within NHS acute psychiatric units; [21491]
(2) what he estimates the cost to be of providing (a) single-sex ward areas and (b) half-spindle locks on doors, in NHS acute psychiatric hospitals. [21492]
§ Mr. BoatengOur prime concern is to ensure that the additional resources we have identified are deployed in the light of Departmental guidance, including guidance on single-sex wards and security, and in the most effective way to improve services for mentally ill people.
Detailed decisions about the allocation of the Local Authority Partnership Fund and the National Health Service Partnership Fund have yet to be made. We expect the Independent Reference Group to offer advice about priorities for the use of both funds. There is no reason why health and local authorities should not bid for these funds to support the development of facilities, of the kind suggested by the hon. Member, if they consider them to be a priority.
Information about the estimated costs of providing single-sex ward areas and half spindle locks on doors in NHS acute psychiatric units is not available centrally.