§ Mr. HoramTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those mental health trusts which have(a) expanded and (b) reduced the numbers of physiotherapists in the last 12 months. [70389]
§ Mr. HuttonInformation on the number of physiotherapists employed by the national health service is collected by the Department's non-medical work force census.
In 2001,14 new mental health trusts were established. These new trusts are the result of restructuring parts of 30 other organisations where mental health services were provided in 2000. In some cases, the organisation that existed in 2000 has gone, split partly into a new mental health trust and partly into another acute trust. In other cases, the 2000 organisation still exists, but without its mental health services division.
As a result of these changes, it is not possible to compare the latest available figures with those front previous reporting years.
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§ Mr. HoramTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the role of physiotherapy in the treatment and rehabilitation of mental health patients; and if he will make a statement. [70394]
§ Jacqui SmithMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received six parliamentary questions from the hon. Member and one letter from Catherine Pope, chair of the Society of Chartered Physiotherapists. I can confirm that the national service framework for mental health emphasises the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to care and treatment, and that there is good evidence that regular physical activity reduces the risk of depression and has positive benefits for mental health. This is important for people with severe mental illness who may be at particular risk of physical ill health. However, decisions about the configuration of services are a local matter, in the context of national guidance, following "Shifting the Balance of Power".
§ Mr. HoramTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many physiotherapists are employed in mental health trusts in each strategic health authority. [70395]
§ Mr. HuttonThe table shows the number of physiotherapists employed in mental health trusts listed by strategic health authority. It should be noted that physiotherapists are also employed in mental health units of other national health service trusts.
NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS): qualified physiotherapists employed by mental health trusts, by strategic health authority area, in England, as at 30 September 2001 Head count All staff 640 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 30 Birmingham and the Black Country 10 County Durham and Tees Valley 10 Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire 90 Cumbria and Lancashire 1— Dorset and Somerset 10 Essex 60 Greater Manchester 1— Hampshire and Isle of Wight 10 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 20 North Central London 1— North East London 1— North West London 70 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 30 Shropshire and Staffordshire 80 South East London 20 South West London 10 South West Peninsula 10 Surrey and Sussex 50 Thames Valley 10 Trent 50 West Yorkshire 80 1 Five or less and greater than zero Notes:
1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
2. Due to rounding totals may not equal the sum of component parts.
Source:
Department of Health 2001 Non-Medical Workforce Census.
§ Mr. HoramTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions the Mental Health Care Group Workforce team has had regarding the role of physiotherapy in the treatment of mental health patients and disseminating best practice. [70391]
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§ Jacqui SmithThe mental health care group workforce team is looking at issues relating to the patient pathway through mental health services. As yet, no specific discussions have been held concerning the role of physiotherapists. However, issues relating to specific staff groups will be addressed in due course.
§ Mr. HoramTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how the planned closure of the specialist mental health physiotherapy team at Oxleas NHS Trust accords with the Government's national health service framework for mental health. [70387]
§ Jacqui SmithDecisions about the configuration of services to meet the needs of people with mental health problems are a local matter, in the context of national guidance. The national service framework (NSF) for mental health emphasises the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to care and treatment. It also emphasises the importance of attention to physical health and the value of exercise. However, the NSF is not prescriptive about the numbers of different professionals needed. Instead, it emphasises the outcomes to be achieved, and the importance of evidence-based practise. I understand that services are being planned in order to ensure that mental health service users who require physiotherapy continue to receive this both now and in the future.
§ Mr. HoramTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the evidence base for the value of physiotherapy in the treatment of mental health patients. [70392]
§ Jacqui SmithPhysiotherapists are experts in movement and mobility. They are trained to use their skills to promote good health, prevent disability and treat people who may have any of a wide range of health problems, including mental health. In order to use and apply the physiotherapeutic skill base with mental health patients, it is necessary for professionals to have a good understanding of mental illness and the health effects from mental illness, in this case particularly physical presentations as part of their condition.
The physical needs of people with mental health problems are recognised in the mental health national service framework (NSF). Following publication of the NSF in 1999, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy commissioned an evidence-based bulletin of the role of physiotherapy in mental health.
§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether PFI contracts for mental health service schemes valued over £1 million have been signed since 13 February. [68060]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 9 July 2002]: Cornwall Health National Health Service Trust reached financial close on 30 April 2002 for a mental health facility.