§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to establish a post-trauma counselling service to provide immediate and expert counselling support for all those affected by large-scale tragedies; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoPost-traumatic stress disorder is a recognised psychiatric condition. General practitioner services are increasingly able to respond to this condition and provide counselling or drug therapy as necessary. Cases may also be referred to the specialist psychiatric services. The Department is supporting from central funds the creation of a new victimology unit at the Maudsley and Bethlem Royal group specialising in post-traumatic stress, including research. We are also funding continuing work at the traumatic stress unit at the Middlesex hospital. These centres constitute an additonal national source of expertise in this condition.