Health written question – answered at on 19 January 2011.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the likely cost to the public purse of treating offenders with mental health problems in the community in each of the next five years; how much funding he plans to allocate to such treatment; and if he will make a statement.
The national health service is responsible for the commissioning of mental health care for offenders whether they are in prison or in the community. Decisions about funding are currently made by primary care trusts and, subject to passage of the appropriate legislation, will in the future be taken by general practice consortia and the NHS Commissioning Board.
The Department is working with the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office to roll out a national diversion service at police stations and at courts by 2014. Working with the police and courts, we will identify a number of pathfinder sites that will help identify best practice, quantify the benefits, and develop appropriate quality standards.
Yes0 people think so
No0 people think not
Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.