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Care in the Community
Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the total cost of the Government's care in the community programme for 1998-99; and if he will make a statement. [25345]
Mr. Boateng: It is for health authorities to determine the resources that they allocate to care in the community provision from their overall allocation, in the light of the priority accorded to mental health services in the National Health Service Priorities and Planning Guidance 1998/99 and local circumstances. Similarly, it is for local authorities to determine the level of funding they allocate to services for mentally ill people from their total resources.
In recognition of the importance which the Government place on mental health, we have increased the Mental Illness Specific Grant by 9 per cent. to £73.3 million for 1998-99.
These additional resources will be made available through a new £2 million fund for child and adolescent mental health services and through a £4 million local authority mental health partnership fund. This will be matched by a £4 million NHS mental health partnership fund.
Mr. Simon Hughes:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to extend the range of residential care for mental health clients in the community; [25343]
Mr. Boateng:
The policy of care in the community has failed to realise the benefits held out to all at the time of its introduction. The majority of people with mental illness have benefited but for a significant number the necessary level of support has not been delivered. This has threatened both the safety of those vulnerable individuals and, on occasions, the public. We want to ensure that the full range of services are available to provide a balanced range of mental health services. This includes an appropriate mix of both hospital places and community support, including more 24 hour nursed care. Mentally ill people must be cared for in safety and security and we must rebuild public trust and confidence in mental health services.
We have set up an Independent Reference Group to advise us. Its first task is to consider long stay psychiatric hospital closure plans to ensure that no more hospitals are closed without proper and credible alternative services being in place.
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A review of mental health services is also underway, monitoring the level of service provision, and identifying importantly, where there are gaps. We will take the findings of this review into account in future policy developments.
Mr. Chope:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors led to the appointment of Mrs. Christine Reid as Chairman of the Bath Mental Health Care Trust; and what assessment his Department made of the candidature of the previous incumbent. [24781]
Mr. Milburn:
All candidates for the chairmanship of Bath Mental Health Care Trust were assessed according to guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. All new candidates for the post were seen by an interview panel which included an independent member. An assessment of the candidacy of the previous chairman was made by the South and West Regional Chairman. Following consultation with local Members of Parliament, the Regional Chairman then submitted recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of state, on the basis of which he decided to appoint Mrs. Reid.
Mr. Bob Russell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds are available for drug addict patients in the Colchester constituency; how many such patients were treated in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what was the cost in each year to the National Health Service. [24708]
Mr. Milburn:
This information is not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the Chairman of North Essex Health Authority for local information relating to drug addict patients.
Mr. Gill:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the effect of the proposed social services budget for 1998-99 on the incidence of bed blocking in Shropshire hospitals. [24430]
Mr. Milburn:
We have received a number of letters from members of the public, local councillors and health and social services professionals on the budget proposals of Shropshire County Council and the possible effects on the delayed discharge of patients.
Mr. Ronnie Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has for research into contraception and contraceptive methods. [24027]
Ms Jowell:
As part of the Government's developing national programme to reduce the rate of unintended and unwanted conceptions, a task group has been established to consider the research necessary to underpin effective programmes to reduce the rate of unintended and unwanted conceptions, particularly among teenagers.
26 Jan 1998 : Column: 74
We collect regular survey information through the General Household Survey and Omnibus Survey. Both surveys include questions on contraception and contraception methods and are commissioned through the Office for National Statistics.
The National Health Service Research and Development Programme is supporting a number of projects evaluating strategies to change health behaviours in children and adolescents, for example in smoking, drugs and unwanted pregnancies, including contraception. Another project is investigating the efficacy, cost-effectiveness and long-term tolerability of implantable contraceptives.
Mr. Jenkin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from the BMA concerning the issue of tuition fees for the fourth year of four year degree courses at Scottish universities. [19588]
Mr. Brian Wilson
[holding answer 8 December 1997]: I have been asked to reply.
In July, The Scottish Office invited the British Medical Association to comment on the Dearing and Garrick reports. On 18 September, The Scottish Office received a response from the British Medical Association in Scotland. It made no specific mention of the issue of tuition fees for the fourth year of four year degree courses at Scottish universities.
On 27 October 1997, I announced that the Government would ensure that the fees contribution from Scottish graduates is equitable with the contribution for comparable qualifications gained elsewhere in the UK. Since then, I have received no representations from the British Medical Association.
Sir Robert Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations had been received by the Government by 30 March (a) for and (b) against the development of the proposed funicular railway on Cairn Gorm. [15655]
Mr. MacDonald
[holding answer 12 November 1997]: My right hon. Friend had received 179 letters for and 2,689 letters against the proposed funicular railway development on Cairn Gorm by 30 March 1997.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the level of spending by Scottish local authorities in each year since 1991-92; and if he will indicate the annual percentage change in real terms. [19823]
Mr. MacDonald
[holding answer 9 December 1997]: The information requested is set out in the table:
26 Jan 1998 : Column: 75
(2) if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on care in the community. [25346]
| Year | Non-housing net current expenditure (cash terms inclusive of specific grant) £ million | Percentage change on previous year in real terms |
|---|---|---|
| 1991-92 | 5,498 | |
| 1992-93 | 5,974 | 4.27 |
| 1993-94 | 6,038 | -1.78 |
| 1994-95 | 6,206 | 1.25 |
| 1995-96 | 6,593 | 3.39 |
| 1996-97 | 6,605 | -2.51 |
| 1997-98 | 6,524 | -3.82 |
Based on local authority reported final outturns for 1991-92 to 1995-96. Final expenditure figures are not yet available beyond 1995-96. Provisional outturn is given for 1996-97 and local authorities' budget estimates for 1997-98.
No adjustments have been made to take account of transfers of responsibility to and from local government and therefore the real terms percentage changes do not compare expenditure in the relevant years on a like-with-like basis.
Mr. Gorrie:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide figures showing the band D council tax increase in the next financial year for each local authority in Scotland (a) in cash terms and (b) in percentage terms, based on the assumption that all councils spend at the provisional capping limit. [22273]
Mr. Macdonald:
On average, the council tax in Scotland should rise by around 7 per cent. in 1998-99, on the assumption that councils spend at their provisional capping limits. The council tax increase for each council will depend on local circumstances and decisions, and it is not possible to make reliable estimates at the individual council level.
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