§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children and adolescents are waiting for treatment for mental health problems in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement. [149675]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 9 February 2001]Patients in England receive treatment for mental health problems in a wide range of health care settings, particularly primary care, and we do not collect waiting list information for most of these. We are aware that in some places waiting times for treatment for mental health problems are unacceptably long.
The development of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is an important part of the work we will be taking forward in implementing the National Health Service Plan. The £30 million we have made available for CAMHS in 2000–01, and which will be available again in 2001–02, will help reduce waiting times for these services.
Information for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for the devolved Administrations.