HC Deb 03 March 2004 vol 418 cc1044-5W
Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the assertive outreach teams are operational 24 hours per day, seven days per week. [154408]

Ms Rosie Winterton

As set out in the Mental Health Policy Implementation Guide (2001), assertive outreach teams do not need to be operational 24 hours per day, seven days per week, but provide evening and weekend cover.

According to the Durham adult mental health services mapping database, approximately 29 per cent. of assertive outreach teams provide access to a 24 hours per day, seven days per week on-call service. A further 41 per cent. provide evening and weekend cover.

This means that 30 per cent. of assertive outreach teams in operation do not fully comply with the service specification set out in the Mental Health Policy Implementation Guide as yet. We expect full compliance with NHS Plan targets for new teams and services by December 2004.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to increase the number of beds for mental health trusts. [154742]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The Government set out priorities for local services for the reform and modernisation of mental health services in the "NHS Plan and the Priorities and Planning Framework 2003–06", supported by over £300 million extra investment announced in the NHS Plan.

In line with the "NHS Plan" and the "Priorities and Planning Framework 2003–06", 500 secure beds and 320 24-hour staffed beds have been created. A further 200 long-term secure beds and 140 secure personality disorder places will be in place by the end of the year.

The Government expect that the establishment of new teams and services, including a wider range of residential and secure provision for people with severe mental ill health, designed to ensure care and treatment tailored to individual needs, will ease pressure on the existing psychiatric beds provided by mental health trusts.