§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now provide additional resources to enable health authorities to implement community mental health care schemes; and if he will make a statement.
30W
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergSpecific developments in community mental health care may be initiated by health authorities, local authorities or voluntary bodies. The various interests work together; but the appropriate financial arrangements will vary from case to case. Decisions on how to use available resources are generally made locally.
The Government have allocated an extra £11.3 million cash for joint finance next year. This will mean that we will have increased the cash available for joint finance by 180 per cent. during our period of office—over 50 per cent. in real terms. Health authorities will wish to consider use of some of this for community mental health schemes.