§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) provision in England. [154632]
§ Dr. LadymanThe Department conducts annual surveys of the range of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) available in England. The first of these took place in autumn 2002 and represents the latest data available. I have arranged for a copy of the document that summarises the results of this survey to be placed in the Library.
The survey did reveal some geographical disparities in CAMHS provision which reinforce the need to press ahead with the Department's objectives of attaining year-on-year increases in CAMHS provision of a minimum of 10 per cent. leading to a comprehensive CAMHS in all areas by 2006. Investment of £250 million over three years is being made to help achieve this.