HL Deb 21 June 2004 vol 662 cc105-6WA
Lord Alderdice

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proposals they have for services for severe personality disorder, in light of the proposed closure of Webb House (Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health National Health Service Trust), and the threats to the Henderson Hospital (South West London and St George's Mental Health National Health Service Trust) and Main House (Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health National Health Service Trust). [HL3185]

Lord Warner

In line with the National Institute for Mental Health in England policy guidance onPersonality Disorder: No Longer a Diagnosis of Exclusion (2003), a number of initiatives aimed at developing new approaches to the treatment and care of people with a severe personality disorder have been developed.

Through this programme the Department of Health has recently allocated funding of £10.9 million to 11 new community-focused personality disorder services based in each region of England over the next two years. These services will be established as part of the wider development of personality disorder services funded by a recurrent baseline allocation of £8 million to primary care trusts from 2004–05 rising to £10 million in 2005–06.

In addition, the agreed development plans for Webb House will see the establishment of eight new day services across the north-west in place of the inpatient service at Crewe. The aim is to improve access and effectiveness and foster the expansion of personality disorder services to a population of 79.4 million people.

The development plans for Main House and the Henderson Hospital being drawn up by local commissioners and providers in preparation for the expected return of funding to the National Health Service in 2006 are at an earlier stage but will also be consistent with the NIMHE guidance.