§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 20 May 2002,Official Report, column 148W, on mental health, if he will list the additional financial resources that are planned for the appointment of mental health workers for the next year; and if he will make a statement. [74712]
§ Jacqui SmithDecisions on funding for mental health workers for next year will be made later in the Autumn as part of the work on primary care trusts allocations and central budgets.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many graduate primary care mental health workers trained in brief therapy techniques, as outlined in the NHS Plan have been employed in each of the last years; and if he will make a statement. [74541]
§ Jacqui SmithThe NHS Plan set out that one thousand new graduate primary care mental health workers trained in brief therapy techniques of proven effectiveness will be employed by 2004 to help general practitioners manage and treat common mental health problems in all age groups, including children. Funds to support the appointment of 1000 such staff will be allocated in 2003–4. Central information on the number appointed is not yet available. This year, £2.5 million has been made available to establish new training 889W programmes to support the new workers when they are employed. This initiative is being led by Trent workforce development confederation and information about the process is due to be placed on the web site very shortly.