§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many district health authorities are currently able to purchase treatment for mentally ill offenders, who are regarded as dangerous and difficult, from hospitals within their own geographical areas.
§ Mr. BowisDistrict health authorities are responsible for assessing the health needs of their residents and for purchasing a range of services to meet those needs. Mentally disordered offenders are treated in a range of secure and non-secure settings in accordance with their differing needs. High-security services are provided by the three special hospitals which are funded centrally.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make bridging finance available to enable alternative community mental health services to be developed alongside existing in-patient services; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to ensure that adequate community mental health services are available before any powers of supervised discharge are introduced; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. BowisIt is for health authorities to purchase community mental health services to ensure the needs of patients being discharged from hospital are met.