§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on how the target 781W for reducing the average waiting time for untreated psychosis to three months, as proposed in the NHS Plan, will be met; [121582]
(2) what the latest average waiting time for untreated psychosis is in England; and whether the NHS Plan target of all young people who experience a first episode receiving the early and intensive support they need will be met by 2004. [121583]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Department of Health is committed to the establishment of 50 early intervention teams by December 2004, to provide treatment and active support in the community to 7,500 young people and their families with the aim of reducing the period of untreated psychosis, prevent initial problems, and improve long-term outcomes. Positive progress is being made towards the achievement of the target with 24 early intervention teams established to date.
Information on the duration of untreated psychosis is being collected as a routine measure as from 1 April 2003, on a quarterly basis as part of local delivery plan reporting. Data for the first quarter should be available in August.