§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he now proposes to make a statement concerning the proposals which he will introduce consequent upon the report, Mental Illness in City and Suburb, issued by the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, a copy of which is in his possession.
§ Sir K. JosephThis report raises a wider problem than mental illness only, namely the special needs of certain problem areas, to which there is no simple or quick answer. I fully recognise that there are parts of the country where the community mental health services do not yet match the need, and particular problems, especially of staff recruitment, in some big cities where the needs are greatest. I30W have already announced the Government's plans to make extra funds available to speed improvements for vulnerable groups including services for the mentally ill.
I see great value in closer working relations between hospital, family doctor and local authority services to ensure better diagnosis and a therapeutic team approach to promote continuity of care. I look forward to a continuing expansion of appropriate training for all types of worker, including the family doctor, and more effective use of social workers with the implementation of the Local Authority Social Services Act.
Several applications have been received for grants under the Urban Aid programme for projects related to mental illness in socially deprived areas, including parts of the area studied in the report, and I am considering them. I shall continue to keep a close watch on the progress of these services.