HC Deb 15 May 1987 vol 116 cc439-40W
Mr. Simon Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the health topics for which there are telephone advice or information services wholly or partly subsidised by his Department; and if he has any plans to extend the range of telephone information services he subsidises.

Mrs. Currie

[pursuant to her reply, 11 May 1987, c. 127]: The Department directly funds the following organisations for the following services:

  • SCODA (Standing Conference on Drug Abuse)—Drugs Misuse
  • BSS (Broadcasting Support Services)—AIDS

In addition, many of the agencies funded partially or wholly by the Department operate information and advice services. Subjects covered are:

  • Community Health Initiatives
  • Child abuse ("Childline" and "Touchline")
  • Senile and pre-senile dementia
  • Anorexia and bulimia nervosa
  • Bereavement counselling
  • Mental health services and issues
  • Ethnic minorities' mental health matters

1984–85 1985–86 1986–87
Number of trainees completing courses Total training weeks offered Number of trainees completing courses Total training weeks offered Number of trainees completing courses Total training weeks offered Travel-to-work area6 Unemployment rate5 6 12 June 1986 per cent.
Barking 119 7,257 217 8,455 477 9,783 London 10.4
Basildon 167 6,998 163 5,466 162 6,351 Southend 13.7
Bellshill 332 10,928 879 10,307 532 12,191 Lanarkshire 20.6
Bellshill Annexe4 85 2,957
Billingham 158 6,366 279 7,204 251 9,517 Stockton-on-Tees 18.8
Birmingham 396 16,643 621 15,992 834 29,558 Birmingham 16.0
Birmingham (Castle Bromwich)3 387 10,671 184 6,256
Birmingham YTC3 138 3,937 1,846
Bradford 515 8,571 287 6,131 504 9,255 Bradford 15.3
Bristol 668 17,019 654 14,237 690 16,722 Bristol 10.7
Bristol Annexe3 91 2,603 8
Cardiff 182 10,968 426 18,009 517 11,466 Cardiff 13.9
Charlton1 London 10.4
Chelmsford 70 2,728 100 3,075 87 2,952 Chelmsford and Braintree 7.8
Cheshire (Runcorn) 212 5,899 215 5,412 216 7,078 Widnes and Runcorn 18.6
Chesterfield 82 3,818 81 3,634 169 3,968 Chesterfield 14.6
Coventry 363 7,962 273 6,993 364 7,874 Coventry and Hinckley 14.9
Cumbria (Maryport) 134 3,307 109 3,105 133 4,912 Carlisle 11.7
Deptford 159 13,512 391 11,345 698 15,340 London 10.4
Doncaster3 198 7,696 119 2,528 Doncaster 20.5
Dumbarton3 64 5,315 14 115 Dumbarton 19.2
Dundee 183 7,352 561 6,840 467 6,986 Dundee 16.2
Dunfermline 239 7,141 242 6,240 339 7,235 Dunfermline 16.0
Durham 291 10,624 326 10,196 303 12,837 Durham 13.9
East Lancashire 305 7,314 338 7,235 302 7,792 Accrington and Rossendale 14.1
Edinburgh 347 7,249 334 8,456 370 8,700 Edinburgh 11.3
Edinburgh Annexe4 147 2,811
Enfield 311 11,684 298 10,032 759 10,703 London 10.4
Glasgow (Queenslie)3 159 6,466 16 136 Glasgow 17.1
Glasgow (Hillington) 255 7,789 784 11,708 681 14,359
Glasgow (Hillington) Annexe4 63 1,119
Gloucester 340 8,034 409 8,200 685 12,321 Gloucester 91
Gloucester Annexe3 82 3,146 86 2,134
Gwent (Newport) 277 10,413 627 11,161 757 12,177 Newport 15.5
Hull 289 10,712 545 6,480 694 9,129 Hull 16.6
Ipswich 92 5,831 147 5,767 170 5,538 Ipswich 8.5
Irvine 154, 5,403 191 4,830 245 4,796 Irvine 24.4
Killingworth3 271 11,259 79 4,823 Newcastle upon Tyne 18.3
Kirkby-in-Ashfield3 161 4,976 275 2,754 Nottingham 13.3

  • Schizophrenia
  • Phobias
  • Psychological support to rape victims
  • Suicidal/despairing people
  • Women's mental health issues
  • Migraine
  • Women's health issues
  • Mental handicaps
  • Advice to elderly and disabled people.

Currently under consideration are grants to voluntary bodies hoping to set up telephone services dealing with:

  • Cancer
  • Health problems and non-English speakers.

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