HC Deb 18 July 2002 vol 389 cc538-40W
Mr. Laws

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rate of emergency psychiatric readmissions was in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1999–2000 and (c) 2001–02. [69295]

Jacqui Smith

The rate of emergency psychiatric re-admissions for 1997–98 was 14.3 per cent.; 1999–2000 was 13 per cent. and 2001–02 was 12.7 per cent.

Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental health crisis resolution teams have been established since the publication of the NHS Plan. [68277]

Jacqui Smith

[holding answer 10 July 2002].As at autumn 2001 there were 52 mental health crisis resolution teams.

Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which region has the smallest percentage of assertive outreach services for mental health; and if he will make a statement as to the reasons. [68175]

Jacqui Smith

North-western region has the lowest proportion of assertive outreach services with 14 teams. This constitutes approximately 7.7 per cent. of all teams and reflects the lower demand of the local population: 9.4 cases per 100,000 individuals compared with the national average of 17.5 cases for the same number of people.

Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many staff work in mental health early intervention teams in England; [68136]

(2) what the total work force in community mental health teams was in each of the last five years. [68127]

Mr. Hutton

[holding answers 11 July 2002]The Department does not collect information covering all components of early intervention schemes and community mental health teams. However, the Centre for Public Mental Health at Durham University has been sponsored by the Department to develop mapping of the mental health work force. Further work is required to validate the returns but their latest information, available at www.dur.ac.uk/ service mapping, provides the best information we have on the distribution of the mental health work force.

Community psychiatric nurses are a key element of both teams and community learning difficulties nurses are important for the delivery of community mental health services. Between 1997 and 2001 the numbers of nurses working in these specialties have increased by 25 per cent. and 28 per cent. respectively. Further information is shown in the table.

NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): Qualified nursing staff working in the community psychiatric and community learning disabilities areas of work in England as at 30 September each year
Whole-time equivalents Headcount
1997
All qualified staff 11,940 12,960
of which:
Community psychiatric 9,010 9,740
Community learning disabilities 2,930 3,230
1998
All qualified staff 12,480 13,610
of which:
Community psychiatric 9,460 10,230
Community learning disabilities 3,020 3,380
1999
All qualified staff 12,930 14,110
of which:
Community psychiatric 9,710 10,550
Community learning disabilities 3,210 3,560
2000
All qualified staff 13,530 14,850
of which:
Community psychiatric 10,190 11,080
Community learning disabilities 3,340 3,770
2001
All qualified staff 14,690 16,380
of which:
Community psychiatric 11,040 12,220
Community learning disabilities 3,650 3,160

Notes:

1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10

2. Figures exclude agency staff

3. Due to rounding, totals may not equal the sum of component parts

Source:

Department of Health non-medical workforce census

Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the NHS budget was spent on mental health in(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02. [68146]

Jacqui Smith

[holding answer 11 July 2002]The expenditure figures for 2000–01 will not be available until late August 2002. The expenditure figures for 2001–02 will not be available until late August 2003.

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