§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many child psychiatrists are currently employed in the NHS in Scotland. [65879]
§ Mr. GalbraithThe number of consultant child and adolescent psychiatrists employed in the NHS in Scotland at 30 September 1998 was as follows:
- Whole time equivalent: 41.3
- Headcount: 48
Notes:
- 1. Data available do not distinguish between staff working in child psychiatry and adolescent psychiatry.
- 2. Information on junior staff not yet available for 1998.
- 3. Consultant data for 30 September 1998 are the latest available and are provisional.
Source:
Information and Statistics Division Scotland.
§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the availability of psychiatric services for young people, with particular reference to rural areas. [65878]
§ Mr. GalbraithWithin the context of their mental health strategies, all Health Boards in Scotland are determining and putting in place the appropriate levels of in-patient and community-based provision they require to meet assessed needs for child and adolescent psychiatric care.
The growth of community-based psychiatric services should help promote better access for young people in rural areas. But, inevitably, in-patient facilities will tend to be close to population centres. Health Boards covering rural areas should take account of this in developing their plans.