Mental Health Services

HC Deb 19 February 1998 vol 306 cc854-5W

Mr. Gerald Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish his spending plans for mental health services in Scotland in the next three years; and if he will make a statement. [29928]

Mr. Galbraith

Mental Health is a national priority for the NHS in Scotland. I expect Health Boards to develop their spending plans for mental health services to reflect that priority and to take into account the principles set out in the framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland, published in September 1997, a copy of which is in the Library.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the budget available to mental health services in Scotland in the(a) current and (b) previous financial year. [29866]

Mr. Galbraith

£421 million is available for mental health services in Scotland for 1997–98, with a further £15.3 million provided for the State Hospital service.

The position for 1996–97 was that £405 million was spent on mental health services and an additional £18.4 million on the State Hospital service (including the last tranche of substantial capital expenditure).

These resources do not include the additional costs of primary care services provided for this client group, which are not separately identifiable.