§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the factors underlying the fall in the number of community psychiatric nursing episodes from 1996–97 to 1999–2000. [12718]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 6 November 2001]: I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 192W.
The factors underlying the fall in the number of community psychiatric nursing episodes from 1996–97 to 1999–2000 include the number of new professional community based roles; increase in the number of people with mental illness receiving first assessment and initial 529W therapeutic interventions in primary care settings; and mental health service users and carers using NHS Direct and Walk-in Centres for advice and in a crisis.