§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to achieve significant improvement in the social functioning of mentally ill people.
§ Mr. BowisWe plan to secure signficant improvements in the social functioning of mentally ill people by improving information and understanding of mental illness, developing comprehensive local services for mentally ill people, and continuing the development of good practice in the management of mental illness. The mental illness specific grant introduced in 1991 and increased to £36 million for 1994–95 is designed to help local authorities develop services to improve the social functioning of people with a mental illness. It has already supported over 800 projects, helping 64,000 people. Overall spending on mental health is over £2 billion per year.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she will inquire into the care and treatment of psychiatric patients attending accident and emergency units at general hospitals.
§ Mr. BowisA number of initiatives are taking place which are examining the range of service provision available for the mentally ill including the provision of emergency care in accident and emergency departments.