Mental Health: Rural Areas

House of Lords written question – answered at on 12 October 2006.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Baroness Byford Baroness Byford Shadow Minister (Food & Rural Affairs), Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Audit Commission's report Managing finances in mental health, whether they have investigated, or have plans to investigate, possible links between the low level of mental health spending in rural areas and the need for organisations such as the Rural Stress Information Network.

Photo of Lord Warner Lord Warner Minister of State (NHS Reform), Department of Health, Minister of State (Department of Health) (NHS Reform)

Managing finances in mental health, which was published in June 2006 by the Audit Commission for local authorities and the National Health Service in England, stated that some primary care trusts (predominantly, but not exclusively, those in rural settings) spend less than £75 on mental health per head per year whereas others (that is, PCTs in central London) spend over £300.

No assessment has been made of the relatively low level of spending on mental health in rural areas and the need for organisations such as the Rural Stress Information Network (RSIN). It is for PCTs to determine how to use the resources allocated to them to commission services to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations. In addition, under Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Health awards grants to voluntary organisations whose activities support the Department of Health's policy priorities. Voluntary organisations working with people in rural areas, such as RSIN, continue to receive support through the Section 64 scheme of grants.

Does this answer the above question?

Yes0 people think so

No0 people think not

Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.