HC Deb 03 April 2003 vol 402 c855W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the(a) mental health service improvements announced in the national service framework for mental health and (b) N HS plan for (i) crisis teams, (ii) assertive outreach programmes, (iii) home treatment, (iv) early intervention in psychosis and (v) primary care mental health teams will be launched in the Portsmouth area; and if he will make a statement. [104943]

Ms Blears

The mental health national service framework, published in September 1999, outlines national standards for mental health and how they should be developed and delivered. It concentrates on the mental health needs of working age adults, and covers health promotion, assessment and diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and care, encompassing primary and secondary care as well as the roles of partner agencies.

In the Portsmouth area work to develop mental health services is on-going. Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority has advised of the following mental health services in place:

Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Portsmouth City Primary Care Trust (PCT) has gained successful approval of its crisis resolution and home treatment business case at the PCT board and recruitment of key staff posts commenced in March 2003.

Assertive Outreach Portsmouth City PCT has a small assertive outreach team, which has been operating since 1999.

Early Intervention Psychosis Portsmouth City PCT is working with colleagues in Hampshire to develop a model.

Primary Care Mental Health Teams Portsmouth City has a number of pilot GP practices.

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