§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines have been issued by his Department on supporting carers of patients with anorexia. [125095]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Department of Health issued guidance in November 2002 called "Developing services for carers and families or people with mental illness", which will be of value to all those carers supporting people with mental health problems, including patients with anorexia.
The NHS Plan set a target for 2004 that 700 more staff will be recruited to increase the breaks available for carers and to strengthen carer support networks. In pursuance of this target, all regular carers of people with mental health problems will have been identified, received an assessment and have their own care support plans by 2004. By 2004, local support networks for these carers will have been developed. The statutory and voluntary sector currently provides support to carers.