§ Mr. LaxtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what contribution art therapy has made towards patient treatment and recovery within the NHS; and what plans the Government has to recruit more art therapists. [185366]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department has not recently commissioned or undertaken a national review of the contribution of art therapy. Primal y care trusts (PCTs) have the responsibility for improving the health of the community, securing the provision of high quality services and integrating health and social care locally. They are also responsible for addressing the service needs of their local communities and developing the workforce they require to deliver services. In commissioning services, PCTs need to plan local services near to patients and ensure that they are identifying the health needs of patients and securing services for them. It is for PCTs, in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services.