§ Mr. Roderickasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the adequacy of the work undertaken by health visitors in the care and supervision of those suffering a mental illness at home, in addition to the work of social services departments of local authorities.
§ Sir K. JosephYes. The nature of the contribution of health visitors to the care of the mentally ill needs to be agreed at local level with the other professions involved. The guidance which I expect to issue shortly to local authorities about services for the mentally ill will emphasise the importance of a team approach on the part of the caring professions.