§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the early indications of the effectiveness of(a) Assertive Outreach and (b) Crisis Response Teams in the practice of mental health locally. [151211]
§ Angela SmithAssertive Outreach and Crisis Response Teams were established in the Northern and Southern Health and Social Services Boards in 2003. It is too early to assess the impact of these services in the Southern Board but initial indications from the 863W Northern Board show a degree of success. The Eastern Board plan to have Crises Response and Home Treatment Services operational by April 2004 and the Western Board have commissioned Foyle Trust to develop a Crises Response Out of Hours Pilot Service.