§ Mr. Randallasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what are his policies on the provision of treatment and assistance to families with hyperactive children; and whether his Department monitors the extent to which this brings relief to families directly affected;
(2) how much money was spent by the National Health Service in 1983 for the treatment of hyperactivity in children;
(3) how many children were treated by the National Health Service in 1983 for hyperactivity.
§ Mr. John PattenHyperactivity is a symptom which occurs in many conditions, and the diagnosis of "hyperkinetic (hyperactive) syndrome" on its own is comparatively rare in the United Kingdom. Many of the children described in lay terms as "hyperactive" would be regarded as having a conduct disorder.
607WStatistics are not kept on the basis of symptoms treated and information is not available on the number of children displaying hyperactivity who are treated by the NHS, or on the costs involved.
Decisions on treatment are the clinical responsibility of individual doctors, and may involve educational and social care resources. The Department does not monitor the effect of those decisions except through funding research studies where appropriate. Appropriate health, educational and social services resources are available, depending on the individual needs of the child and the family. As regards research to illuminate these issues, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) on 15 March 1984, at columns 259–60.