§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received recently regarding art therapy services in London; and if he will make a statement on the matters raised by the hon. Member for Woolwich in his letter of 5 March regarding Lewisham and Guys NHS mental health trust; [19514]
(2) with whom the final decision to delete art therapy services in the Lewisham and Guy's NHS mental health trust rests; and if he will make a statement; [20332]
467W(3) what was the basis upon which the decision to cease to provide art therapy services in the Lewisham and Guy's NHS mental health trust was taken; and if he will make a statement. [20333]
§ Mr. Burns[holding answer 10 March 1997]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has received a number of representations concerning art therapy in London. The decision to discontinue some of the art therapy services provided by Lewisham and Guy's mental health trust was made by Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham health authority, in consultation with the trust. The decision followed a review of patient needs and priorities in the south-east London area.
§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance is given by his Department regarding the notice given by service providers for terminating work with long-term clients, with special reference to art therapy; and if he will make a statement; [20334]
(2) what assessment he has made of the implications of his decision in respect of the recognition of art, music and drama therapy for NHS funding, priority setting and the provision of such services. [20331]
§ Mr. BurnsWe have not issued central guidance on arrangements for terminating art therapy services. The funding, priority setting and provision of art therapy services are matters for the national health services to determine in the light of local circumstances. In recognition of the part art therapists play, we have agreed that they should be registered in accordance with the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960.
§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if the additional funds which he has provided for mental health services in London can be spent on art therapy services. [20335]
§ Mr. BurnsThere is no reason in principle for excluding art therapy from the range of services to be funded from the mental health challenge fund or from target funds, provided that their provision relates to the
468W
Places in residential care homes for elderly people—London, as at 31 March 1987 and 1996 Local authority Voluntary sector Private sector All sectors Borough 1987 1996 1987 1996 1987 1996 1987 1996 All London boroughs 15,677 7,251 6,284 6,284 5,529 7,443 27,490 20,978 Inner London 6,639 3,152 2,097 2,210 874 1,264 9,610 6,626 Camden 553 206 198 225 71 170 822 601 Greenwich 560 333 0 0 109 178 669 511 Hackney 495 239 137 148 0 75 632 462 Hammersmith 461 274 106 113 16 16 583 403 Islington 626 319 58 126 32 0 716 445 Kensington 300 167 249 158 51 82 600 407 Lambeth 698 472 286 233 172 279 1,156 984 Lewisham 760 248 18 66 237 372 1,015 686 Southwark 682 255 248 93 0 0 930 348 Tower Hamlets 407 236 125 178 0 0 532 414 Wandsworth 568 152 636 789 186 92 1,390 1,033 Westminster 529 251 36 81 0 0 565 332 Outer London 9,038 4,099 4,187 4,074 4,655 6,179 17,880 14,352 Barking 359 433 0 32 38 55 397 520 Barnet 544 364 1,003 941 534 560 2,081 1,865 Bexley 437 129 5 251 45 46 487 426 Brent 437 132 129 140 72 197 638 469 needs of people with severe mental illness, and that bids have been soundly based within the criteria which govern the allocation process.