§ Baroness Finlay of Llandaffasked Her Majesty's Government:
How the availability of specialist physiotherapy and occupational therapy services to mental health patients is monitored through strategic health authorities. [HL5684]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathStrategic Health Authorities are responsible for performance managing Primary Care Trusts and National Health Service trusts in their area. Decisions about exact configurations of services are a local matter, in the context of national guidance. PCTs are responsible for commissioning services for their populations, and they are accountable to their StHA for discharging this function effectively. In our previous reply to the noble Baroness on 28 August (HL5685) we also emphasised the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to mental healthcare and treatment. We know that 233WA people with severe mental illness may be at particular risk of physical ill health and standard one (mental health promotion) the National Service Framework for Mental Health states that "Exercise, relaxation and stress management have a beneficial effect on mental health." The NHS Plan sets out targets for increasing the overall number of allied health professionals.