§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts have adopted policies on the employment of people who have experienced mental health problems; and what steps he is taking to encourage NHS trusts to adopt such policies. [139826]
§ Mr. HuttonInformation on how many National Health Service trusts have adopted policies on the employment of people who have experienced mental health problems is not collected centrally but may be held locally by individual employers. The NHS Executive is currently working with representatives of professional bodies, unions, management and voluntary organisations from the mental health field to draft guidance on mental health and employment. This guidance, which we intend to publish in the spring, will encourage NHS employers to adopt inclusive policies.
§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trusts providing mental health services have a user employment programme or similar scheme; and what steps he is taking to encourage the setting up of such schemes. [139825]
§ Mr. HuttonInformation on how many trusts providing mental health services have a user employment programme or similar schemes is not collected centrally.
To ensure the sharing of best practice, the National Health Service Employment Policy Branch recently funded the production of a "Good Practice Guide" developed within South West London and St. George's NHS Trust. The trust has pioneered efforts to tackle employment discrimination within the trust against people who have experienced mental health difficulties.
The guide was circulated to delegates at a conference the trust held in London in March 2000, and the Department will be disseminating this guide more widely to the NHS.