Learning Disabilities

HC Deb 17 November 2003 vol 413 cc597-8W

Mr. Paul Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been allocated to the provision of services for people with learning disabilities since the publication of the White Paper "Valuing People": how this funding has been spent; and what funding remains unallocated. [138187]

Dr. Ladyman

Over £3 billion a year is spent on health and social care provision for people with learning disabilities. The White Paper, "Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21^st Century" (Cm 5086), published in March 2001, which set out our proposals for improving services for people with learning disabilities, their families and carers, announced two new funds to support its proposals: the implementation support fund (ISF) from April 2001 and the learning disability development fund (LDDF) from April 2002. Funding has been allocated to support priorities set out in "Valuing People".

Money from the £2.3 million ISF was fully allocated in both 2001–02 and 2002–03. We expect it to be fully allocated in 2003–04. Funding has been used to support a range of work, including: The development and support of advocacy services The setting up and support of the national forum of people with learning disabilities and its network of regional forums The preparation, publication, and dissemination of good practice guidance on a range of subjects The setting up and support of the Learning Disability Telephone Information and Helpline (funded jointly with MENCAP) Extension of the learning disability awards framework.

The LDDF was introduced in April 2002. £2 million of the £22.6 million revenue element available in 2002–03 was used to support the "Valuing People" support team and its related activities. The remainder was distributed to health authorities on a pro-rata basis to be used as agreed through their partnership board, with their partner local authorities to support the following priorities for service change: Modernising day centres Completing the reprovision of the remaining long-stay hospitals to enable people to move to more appropriate accommodation Developing supported living approaches for people with learning disabilities living with older carers Promoting the further development of advocacy Supporting the wider introduction of person centred planning Enhancing leadership in learning disability services.

In 2003–04, £2 million was again allocated for the "Valuing People" support team, with £21 million being distributed to primary care trusts to be used on the above priorities for service change.

The capital element of the LDDF comprises £20 million a year to be used on the following priorities: Enabling local providers to develop specialist services for people with severe challenging behaviour Developing integrated health and social services facilities for children and people with severe disabilities and complex needs Developing supported living approaches for people with learning disabilities living with older carers Implementing the results of person centred planning for people currently living in national health service campuses.

In 2002–03, bids were invited from learning disability partnership boards and £16 million of the available £20 million was allocated. In 2003–04, the £20 million capital was allocated direct to strategic health authorities as part of their strategic capital allocations.