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15 Dec 2003 : Column 773W—continued
Men's Health
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce a chlamydia screening programme for men. [142065]
Miss Melanie Johnson: The chlamydia screening programme, which is being implemented nationally, actively promotes screening for both men and women. The programme is also targeting men that do not traditionally use health services by introducing screening at venues such as armed forces bases and male prisons. The Department of Health have also commissioned the Men's Health Forum to oversee the 'Men and Chlamydia Project'. This project will increase men's awareness of chlamydia, promote the adoption of safer sex practices and encourage men to seek screening and treatment where appropriate.
Mental Health
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times were for child and adolescent mental health services in (a) England, (b) each region and (c) each strategic health authority in each of the last six years; and if he will make a statement. [141110]
Dr. Ladyman: The table shows the average waiting time for the first consultant out-patient appointment following general practitioner written referral to child and adolescent psychiatry.
The "Emerging Findings" of the children's national service framework (published April 2003) recognised the importance in a comprehensive child and adolescent mental health service of having agreed protocols in place to manage waiting lists and times according to need.
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(37) unable to calculate due to small numbers
Source:
Department of Health form QM08R
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Mrs. Roe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many graduate primary care mental health workers were employed by the NHS on the latest date for which figures are available. [142068]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The NHS Plan set out that 1,000 new graduate primary care mental health workers trained in brief therapy techniques of proven effectiveness will be employed by December 2004 to help general practitioners manage and treat common mental health problems in all age groups, including children. Revenue allocations to support the appointment of 1,000
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such staff were made this financial year (2003–04). Central information on the number appointed began to be captured in September by the Durham Mapping Database at www.dur.ac.uk/service.mapping. However, the information is not yet complete.
Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the incidence of people who are diagnosed as having a mental illness who also have a drug or alcohol dependency. [142769]
Ms Rosie Winterton: There has been no national assessment of the incidence of people who are diagnosed as having a mental illness who also have a drug dependency.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for compiling, analysing and disseminating information relating to the United Kingdom's economic, social and demographic statistics. Their report "Psychiatric morbidity among adults living in private households, 2000" is available on the website at www.statistics.gov.uk. Along with others due for publication, the report contains valuable information about the prevalence of mental disorders including those with problems relating to substance misuse amongst adults over the age of 16 in private households.
The Government's latest assessment of the numbers of people who have a mental illness and who also suffer from alcohol dependence is contained in the Interim Analytical Report published by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's strategy unit on 19 September 2003.
Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that appropriate services are available locally for people who have been diagnosed as having a mental illness who also have a drug or alcohol dependency. [142771]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The Government guidance on "Dual Diagnosis Good Practice Guide" sets out policy and good practice in the provision of mental health services for people with severe mental health problems who are also experiencing difficulties with drug and alcohol problems. It is aimed at all those who commission and provide mental health and substance misuse services and sets out a clear framework within which staff should continue to develop services in partnership with patients and their carers and families.
Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that adequate information and support is available for carers of people who have been diagnosed as having a mental illness who also have a drug or alcohol dependency. [142772]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The Department of Health published guidance on "Developing services for carers and families of people with mental health illness" in November 2002. The guide is aimed at helping local mental health services develop support services for carers of people with mental health problems.
The Department also published "Dual Diagnosis Good Practice Guide" in May 2002. The guide sets out policy and good practice in the provision of mental health services for people with severe mental health problems who are also experiencing difficulties with any drug, including alcohol. It is aimed at all those who
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commission and provide mental health and substance misuse services and sets out a clear framework within which staff should continue to develop services in partnership with patients and their carers and families.
In addition, the Government's Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England is due to be published in the new year and will be implemented from 2004 in accordance with the timetable set out in the NHS Plan. This strategy will set the future direction for the development of alcohol treatment, which will encompass and be of relevance to carers as well.
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what he attributes the rise in the number of children aged 0–14, treated by mental health trusts in West Sussex between 1996–97 and 2001–02. [143064]
Ms Rosie Winterton: This is a matter for Western Sussex Primary Care Trust.
I understand that the rise in children aged 0–14 treated by mental health trusts can be attributed to the creation of an Assertive Outreach team in 2001 which is based in one of the West Sussex Health and Social Care National Health Service Trust's two in-patient units.
The team works with children coming in to and leaving hospital. As a result, the number of children and young people the trust sees has increased.
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