§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ECT treatments were administered in 2000–01. [10516]
§ Jacqui SmithThe information requested is not available. The most recent information available is contained in a one-off survey covering the period from January 1999 to March 1999, England only, that was undertaken to provide an up to date and accurate snapshot picture of the use of electro-convulsive treatment (ECT). Prior to this survey, the information previously recorded on ECT did not provide an accurate picture on the use of ECT treatment.
The results of the survey are contained in the Department of Health Statistical bulletin "Electro-convulsive Therapy: Survey covering the period from January 1999 to March 1999. England", a copy of which is in the Library.
The Department is hoping that more useful and reliable information on ECT will be obtained from the mental health minimum data set which is person-centred. It is being implemented across all mental health trusts on a phased basis during 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 but data will not be available until 2003.