§ 26. Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many assertive outreach teams have been established since May 1997. [119080]
§ Mr. HuttonInformation about assertive outreach teams was first collected in 1998–99. Sixty-six teams were in existence by March 1999. Data for the year ending March 2000 have not yet been finalised but health authority plans indicated that a further 57 teams were to be established in 1999–2000.
In the National Priorities guidance for 2000–01 we have set a target for a further 50 teams to be established bringing the total to over 170 teams.