§ Lord Harris of Greenwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many duty psychiatrist schemes now exist, and in which courts.
Earl FerrersFull information about the number of duty psychiatrist schemes is not kept centrally but a recent survey of magistrates' courts and the probation service identified schemes in operation in the following 19 courts:
Inner London
- Horseferry Road
- West London
- Bow Street
- Marlborough Street
- Woolwich
- Clerkenwell
- Tower Bridge
- Barnet
- Barrow in Furness
- Bexley
- Bolton
- Brent
- Croydon
- Godstone
- Leicester City
- Peterborough
- Reading
- Sunderland
- Woking
The establishment of these schemes is a matter for courts and local services in the light of their own perceived needs. Four million pounds funding over three years will be made available to promote the development of these schemes by providing assistance in meeting the costs of medical practitioners involved. The Home Office and Department of Health plan to write to magistrates' courts and health and social services authorities later this year to invite bids for funding.