§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has conducted since 1997 into mental health in-patients' perception of their safety in NHS accommodation; and whether there is evidence of changes in perceptions of safety. [188860]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Department's national research programme is funding a number of studies into the organisation and delivery of inpatient mental health 1979W services as part of its continuing evaluation of models of service delivery. In three of those studies, patients' views are being sought on aspects of inpatient care, including safety. Details can be found at: http://www.sdo.Ishtm.ac.uk/evaluatingmodels.htm# bowers. http://www.sdo.Ishtm.ac.uk/evaluatigmodels.htm#75. http://www. sdo.Ishtm.ac.uk/evaluatingmodels.htm# lelliott.
Over 75 per cent. of the Department's total expenditure on health research is devolved to and managed by national health service organisations. Details of completed and current individual projects can be found on the national research register at www.dh.gov.uk/research.
"The Architectural Healthcare Environment and its effects on the Patient Health Outcomes", University of Sheffield in association with NHS Estates, Poole Hospital NHS Trust and South Downs Mental Health Trust (2003) looked into the clinical and economic consequences of good architectural design in healthcare buildings. This publication is available from NHS Estates knowledge and information portal at http:// 195.92.246.148/nhsestates/knowledge/knowledge_content/home/home.asp.
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures are in place(a) to measure mental health in-patients' satisfaction with the services they receive while in hospital, (b) to eradicate poor practice and (c) to disseminate got d practice. [188863]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonAll trusts are committed to measuring their patients' experience through a series of structured national surveys. The Healthcare Commission administers these and all trusts in England participate. Survey results feed into the assessment of trusts for the star ratings system, and trusts use their results to make service improvements.
Results for the mental health trust patient surveys were published by the Healthcare Commission on 4 August 2004 and are available from http:// www. healthcarecommission.org.uk/assetRoot/04/00/81/83/04008183.pdf.
The Department has published a national service framework for mental health and a series of mental health policy implementation guides which provide services with good practice guidance. The National Institute for Mental Health in England provides trusts with practical support with implementing such guidance.
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to ensure that service users are involved in the planning arid delivery of mental health hospital services. [188865]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonSection 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 places a duty on national health service organisations, including mental health trusts, to involve and consult patients, the public and their representatives in the planning and development of services and to consult them on changes to the operation of services. The duty was commenced on 1 January 2003.
1980W"Mental health policy implementation guide on adult acute inpatient care (2002)", which is available in the Library, recommends the establishment of acute care forums with involvement of service users and carers to agree and regularly review the operation and coordination of the range of acute care services.
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on access for mental health patients to(a) fresh air, (b) exercise and (c) meaningful recreation; and what measures he has put in place to achieve this. [188866]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonAs set out in the "National service framework for mental health" (1999) and "Mental health policy implementation guide on adult acute inpatient care" (2002), a flexible range of appropriate therapeutic and recreational resources and activities must be available in mental health inpatient settings.
"National minimum standards for general adult services in psychiatric intensive care units and low secure environments" (2002) requires all patients to have access to fresh air and secure external space and space for regular exercise with appropriate supervision. This guidance also recommends such services to provide access to a games room in which board games, art equipment and stereo equipment is placed.
Performance ratings of mental health trusts produced by the Healthcare Commission use performance indicators assessing the suitability of physical environments to meet the needs of service users and to ensure their privacy and dignity.
Copies of these publications are available in the Library.
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which publicly funded bodies carry out inspections of NHS mental health trusts; and how frequently such inspections take place. [189441]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Healthcare Commission, the independent healthcare inspectorate for England, may carry out inspections of all national health service bodies, including NHS mental health trusts. The Commission is required by the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 each financial year to review the provision of health care for each English NHS body; such a review may include an inspection.
As part of its remit to keep under review the operation of the Mental Health Act 1983, the Mental Health Act Commission visits all hospitals and registered nursing homes with detained patients at least three times biennially.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards meeting the target for all regular carers of people with mental health problems to have been identified, received an assessment and have their own care support plans by 2004. [187868]
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§ Ms Rosie WintertonIn line with standard six of the national service framework for mental health (1999), all individuals who provide regular and substantial care for a person on care programme approach should have an assessment of their caring, physical and mental health needs, repeated on at least an annual basis. Such people should have their own written care plans, which are implemented in discussion with them. Up to 700 carer support workers will be in post by end the year to increase the breaks available for carers and to strengthen carer support networks. To consolidate the progress that is being made and to build on good practice and research, the Department has published guidance entitled, "Developing Services for Carers and Families of People with Mental Illness".