§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts have an advocacy scheme for users of mental health services; and what proportion of trusts this figure represents. [10011]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 29 October 2001]: Very few national health service trusts actually provide advocacy services as it is widely recognised that advocacy services should be independent of provider services.
The Department has commissioned a mental health service mapping exercise from Durham University which will provide an up-to-date picture of where mental health service users have access to an advocacy service. This exercise is expected to report later this year.
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§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health by how much the NHS underspent on mental health in 2000–01. [12050]
§ Jacqui SmithThere are no expenditure targets relating to mental health, therefore there cannot be any underspend. The national health service does have service targets and in 2000–01 these were met.
§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of clinical outcomes in mental health in the UK in comparison to other EU countries. [13854]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 12 November 2001]: Currently there is no assessment of clinical outcomes in mental health in the United Kingdom in comparison to other European Union countries. However, there are currently two important initiatives under way that involve the measurement of clinical outcomes for individuals in receipt of mental health services in the UK that will enable comparisons with other EU countries.
One is the outcome measurement implementation programme headed by the national director for mental health, Professor Louis Appleby, who has established an expert group of the leading experts in the field of outcome measurement in the UK. They are advising on and overseeing the selection and the pilot implementation of instrumentation for the routine measurement of outcomes for individuals in terms of mortality, morbidity, quality of life and user and carer satisfaction with services. The evidence base for this approach is substantial and drawn from extensive research conducted in the United States of America, Europe and Australia over many years.
The other initiative is the establishment of the new National Institute for Mental Health for England (NIMH(E)) which I announced in July. NIMH(E) will be the key vehicle, which supports implementation of national mental health policy in England. It will work with all agencies and interests to develop a co-ordinated programme of research, service development, workforce development and support. NIMH(E) will also generate links with organisations responsible for mental health services in other countries. This will offer the opportunity for comparison of services and clinical outcomes, and the promotion of best practice. A consultation document on NIMH(E) was launched on 6 November.
§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he supports closer partnership working between statutory services and the Churches in the field of mental health; and if he will make a statement. [13847]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 12 November 2001]: The National Service Framework for Mental Health encourages health and social services to work with individuals and communities to promote mental health. As an integral part of many communities, religious centres and leaders can assist in combating discrimination and social exclusion associated with mental health problems.
§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what implications the EU working-time directive has for the staffing of acute mental health wards; and if he will make a statement. [13858]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 12 November 2001]: The Working Time Regulations, which implement the European Community Directive into United Kingdom 680W legislation, came into force on 1 October 1998. To implement this in the national health service, the Department made national agreements in the General Whitley Council for GWC staff and with the British Medical Association for Career Grade Doctors which secured maximum operational flexibility. Mental health staff have benefited by having protected rest periods which have reduced the risks of long working hours. Consequently patients have been better safeguarded.
§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his assessment is of the number of people with severe mental illness who could benefit from assertive outreach; and if he will make a statement. [13848]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 12 November 2001]: It is estimated that some 20.000 people need assertive outreach and there is a NHS Plan commitment to have 220 assertive outreach teams established by 2004 to provide the necessary services.