HC Deb 20 March 2002 vol 382 cc439-40W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to support NHS staff dealing with the mental health problems of older people; and if he will make a statement. [40828]

Jacqui Smith

Following publication of national service frameworks (NSF) for mental health and for older people, the Department has established a number of multi-agency care group workforce teams, including one focused on older people and one on mental health, to support national workforce development.

Standard 7 of the Older People"s NSF concerns the promotion of good mental health in older people and the provision of treatment and support for older people with dementia and depression. Work undertaken to implement the framework standards, and within the care group workforce teams, will help to strengthen training and education for existing staff and support recruitment, consistent with the proposals in the NHS plan for new staff to support people of all ages with mental health problems.

Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proportion of the hospital budget was spent on mental health services in each year since 1997; [41709]

(2) what proportion of the community health budget has been spent on mental health nursing services in each year since 1994–95. [41706]

Jacqui Smith

The proportion of the hospital budget spent on mental health services in each year since 1996–97 and the proportion of the community health budget spent on mental health nursing in each year since 1994–95 is shown in the table.

Percentage
Community Hospital Total
1994–95 9.5 10.9 10.7
1995–96 9.5 0.9 10.7
1996–97 12.2 12.2 12.2
1997–98 13.6 12.0 12.3
1998–99 13.3 11.8 12.1
1999–2000 13.3 12.3 12.5

However the figure given for 1999–2000 is not comparable to previous years or future years, 1999–2000 represents the first year that primary care group expenditure was included in the calculation and the formula used to apportion the expenditure was based on estimated data. In future years the data for primary care groups will be more detailed and the resultant figure for percentage spend will be more accurate.