HC Deb 13 April 1999 vol 329 cc136-7W
Ms Julie Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what total NHS expenditure on mental health services in Wales was by health authority in the last year for which figures are available. [80192]

Mr. Jon Owen Jones

The information is not centrally available in the format requested. However, the total expenditure on healthcare provision, both acute and community services, for patients with mental illness is shown in the following table.

£000
Bro Taf 53,012
Dyfed Powys 31,879
Gwent 28,278
Morgannwg 35,095
North Wales 36,398
Total 184,662

Source:

Annual accounts of health authorities 1997–98

Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

Ms Julie Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met representatives of the (i) black and (ii) other ethnic minority communities to discuss mental health treatment. [80195]

Mr. Jon Owen Jones

There have been no requests from black or ethnic minority groups for meetings with Ministers to discuss mental health.

I am setting up a Steering Group to establish for the first time, an All Wales Strategy for child and adolescent mental health services and I am considering at present how best to update our Strategy for adult mental health services. The needs of ethnic minority patients will be addressed in both exercises.

Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

Ms Julie Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the major advances in treatment which have been implemented in mental health since 1995. [80188]

Mr. Jon Owen Jones

It is difficult to define the term "major" in this context. There have been advances in drug treatment and in approaches to treatment since 1995. We work closely with Department of Health, the NHS and other interested parties to ensure that all developments are evaluated and, where appropriate, publicised.

The next major development in disseminating best modern practice will come with the development of the National Service Framework for mental health services, whose standards we expect to introduce in Wales.

Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.