§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made on promoting alternatives to benzodiazepine prescription; and what funds are available for this purpose.
§ Mr. MellorThe Department is financing a conference on developing counselling in primary care. This was attended by over 150 general practitioners and counsellors and focused on the better identification of people needing counselling and the better organisation of services.
The Department is funding the National Association for Mental Health (MIND) to develop a directory of services for people with benzodiazepine-related problems. This will include a wide variety of agencies in both the statutory and non-statutory fields, offering alternative therapies including counselling, behavioural and psychological techniques, as well as self-help groups. In addition, central funding has been made available to provide a revised version of a leaflet for the public and professionals giving information on benzodiazepine use and alternative strategies to it.