HC Deb 11 December 2002 vol 396 cc395-6W
Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of primary care organisations have a board member dedicated to promoting mental health services. [86144]

Mr. Lammy

The Department does not require primary care trusts to have a board member with dedicated responsibility for promoting mental health services. No information is held centrally on any such responsibility placed by the boards themselves.

Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time to receive(a) counselling, (b) cognitive therapy and (c) psychotherapy was in each health authority in the last year for which figures are available. [86152]

Mr. Hutton

Data about waiting times for psychological therapy services is not collected centrally at the present time. However, the mental health national service framework emphasises the importance of access to assessment for and ready access to effective psychological therapies.

Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of primary care organisations' written training plans for staff on mental health issues. [86154]

Jacqui Smith

There is no requirement on primary care organisations to have written training plans for staff on mental health issues. However, the document "Working Together—Learning Together" issued by the Department states that "By July 2002, all NHS employer organisations, supported by workforce development confederations will have in place a clear organisational strategy and annual plan for education, training and development, which links explicitly with local modernisation priorities and the delivery of clinical governance".