Lord Winstanleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How rate-capping will affect the provision of community-based projects for psychiatric patients expected to be discharged from hospitals subject to closure plans.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Glenarthur)It will be for authorities who are affected by rates control to decide how staying within their expenditure limit will influence spending on particular services. Many authorities have already shown that it is possible to protect services for vulnerable people, including those suffering from mental illnesses, at the same time as restraining their expenditure.
It should be remembered, too, that health authorities and voluntary organisations are also involved in providing community care services for mentally ill people.