§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what (1) analysis he has made of the shortage of secure beds in psychiatric hospitals broken down by(a) region and (b) trust; what plans he has to meet the shortfall; and if he will make a statement; [113592]
(2) what have been the locations of the secure places in the mental health service provided in the last six months; what plans he has to increase the number in the next financial year; and if he will make a statement. [113564]
235W
§ Mr. HuttonAs the consultation document on the findings of the National Bed Enquiry shows, there is a significant shortage of medium secure provision across the country.
The immediate priority is to use the additional investment through the National Health Service modernisation fund to enable the development of balanced mental health systems. In this first year, NHS Modernisation Fund investment has been targeted where the need is greatest. This has resulted in plans for significant numbers of extra secure beds.
During 1999–2000, £14.5 million of the Fund was allocated to improve overall secure capacity by increasing the number of medium and low secure places, and intensive care beds in mental health services. By April 2001 the intention is to have an extra 250 NHS secure places in addition to the 221 places funded in 1999–2000, exceeding the target set out in Mental Health National Service Framework of 300 extra places by April 2002.
I will write to the hon. Member giving details of the exact locations of where these places have been provided in the last six months.