[Mr. Bill Olner in the Chair] — Mental Health

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 9:30 am on 17 April 2007.

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Photo of David Taylor David Taylor Labour, North West Leicestershire 9:30, 17 April 2007

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on obtaining this debate. I have an interest to declare: I am a patron of a befriending scheme for mental health patients in North-West Leicestershire.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that schizophrenia is one of three conditions—anxiety and depression are the other two—whose sufferers benefit greatly when given psychological therapy within the NHS? A report published some time ago, "We Need to Talk", urged greater resources and targeting of waiting times for access to such treatment. I do not know whether his constituent was waiting for access to support or psychological therapy, but it would be helpful if the Chancellor and the Minister were to announce a higher priority for such treatments today, to add to what is a good record on mental health over the past 10 years.