§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of Stale for Health what the trends have been in the use of electro-convulsive therapy in the last 15 years; and what research his Department has undertaken into the trends. [14937]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 15 November 200I]: The most recent information available concerning trends in the administration of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) is contained in the 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 therapy (ECT). A copy of this document is available in the Library.
The results of the ECT survey showed that in keeping with the trend from 1985 through 1999–91 the number of administrations of ECT has declined. The estimated 65,930 administrations of ECT compares with 105,466 reported administrations in 1990–91 and 137,940 in 1985.