§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the operational definition of serious mental illness used by her Department.
Mr. BowlsWe have not set a rigid central definition of severe mental illness.
We issued for consultation in October 1994 a "Draft Guide to Arrangements for Inter-agency Working for the Care and Protection of Severely Mentally III People". The draft guide contains a framework definition of severe mental illness on which local services can base their own more detailed operational definitions. Copies of the guide are available in the Library.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals she has to introduce national standards for the purposes of the assessment and placement of potential patients following sentence by a court; and if she will make a statement.
Mr. BowlsNone. The Mental Health Act 1983 defines the circumstances in which a person suffering from a mental disorder can be detained in hospital. Health Circular EL(90)168 and Home Office circular 66/90, both50W available in the Library, draw to the attention of health service and criminal justice agencies the importance of appropriate disposals of offenders who have a mental disorder.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to develop the public's awareness of mental illness; and if she will make a statement.
Mr. BowlsWe launched a public information strategy on mental illness in March 1993. The strategy, which will cost in excess of £1 million over three years, aims to raise public awareness of mental illness, its causes and its treatment. In addition, the Health Education Authority is starting a programme of work in this sector.