§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance he has issued to local councils and health authorities to co-ordinate their services to care for mentally ill patients in the community; and if he will make a statement; [3588]
(2) if he will list the principal guidance notes issued by his Department relating to the provision of care in the community. [3764]
§ Mr. BurnsSince 1990, the Department has issued the following guidance relating to the provision of care in the community for mentally ill people
Caring for People, The Care Programme Approach for people with a mental illness referred to the specialist psychiatric services" (HC(90)23/LASSL(90 )11);The Health of the Nation Mental Illness Key Area Handbook" (1993);Introduction of supervision registers for mentally ill people from 1 April 1994" (HSG(94)5);Guidance on the discharge of mentally disordered people and their continuing care in the community" (HSG(94)27);Guidance on supervised discharge (after-care under supervision) and related provision" (HSG(96)I 1);Building Bridges" (1995);The Spectrum of Care" (1996);24 Hour Nursed Care for People with Severe and Enduring Mental Illness" (1996).Copies of these are available in the Library.
Most of these documents include guidance on the co-ordination of services for people with mental illness. "Building Bridges" contains specific advice on inter-agency working for the care and protection of severely mentally ill people. A consultation document on mental health services will shortly be issued and further guidance may be issued in the light of responses.