HC Deb 09 February 2004 vol 417 cc1411-2W
Sue Doughty

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many secure beds are available in each mental health trust; [152918]

(2) what the occupancy rates of beds in secure mental health institutions were in each mental health trust area in England in each of the last three years. [152942]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The information is not available in the form requested.

Information on numbers and occupancy rates of national health service beds, including those for people with mental health problems categorised by ward classification, is available from the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity/

Sue Doughty

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he(a) has made and (b) will undertake of the support needs of families of sufferers of mental ill health. [152919]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The national service framework (NSF) for mental health provides rationale and evidence base for a national standard for mental health services relating to carers of people with mental health problems.

This NSF standard stipulates that all individuals who provide regular and substantial care for a person on the care programme approach should have an assessment of their caring, physical and mental health needs repeated on at least an annual basis. People who provide regular and substantial care for a person on the care programme approach are also entitled to have their own written care plan which is given to them and implemented in discussion with them.

In view of the vital role carers play in looking after the users of mental health services, the NHS Plan set a target for services to recruit 700 carer support workers by the end of the year to increase the breaks available for carers, and to strengthen carer support networks.

In addition, the Department published "Developing services for carers and families of people with mental illness" in November 2002. Its recommendations are being taken forward by the National Institute for Mental Health in England.

Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many adolescent mental health specialists there are in England. [152718]

Mr. Hutton

As at 30 June 2003, there were 500 consultants in the specialty of child and adolescent psychiatry working in the National Health Service in England.

Consultant numbers in the specialty have increased by 12 per cent., 55 since September 1997.