Written question asked by Rosie Cooper (Labour) on Thursday, 9 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 March 2006. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 March 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Mental Health Services (Lancashire)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her policy is on the future role for the independent sector in the provision of mental health facilities in (a) Lancashire and (b) West Lancashire constituency.

Answer: The national health service receives vital support from the independent sector in delivering mental health services, improving access to these and in reducing waiting times, for example, in providing medium secure facilities and in specialist eating disorder services and we have no plans to change this.The independent sector, through the private finance initiative scheme (PFI), is helping to deliver the biggest hospital building programme, including mental health facilities, in the history of the NHS, replacing old and outmoded buildings with ones fit for the 21st century. New or improved mental health facilities are among the 140 new hospital schemes worth £19.1 billion, which are in progress and are counting towards the NHS plan target of having 100 new hospital schemes open by 2010. The responsibility for planning and developing NHS health services which meet the needs of local communities, including mental health services, rests with primary care trusts and their strategic health authorities. We will continue to support the commissioning of independent sector services by the NHS where this delivers clear benefits for NHS patients and where it represents value for money for the taxpayer.

Secondary information