Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Michael Jack (Conservative). It was answered on Tuesday, 16 May 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Mental Health Services

Question: In welcoming the Minister to his new post, may I remind him that early in 2004, the then Health Minister, the right hon. Member for Barrow and Furness (Mr. Hutton), told me that an 80-week waiting list for a child to access psychological services was unacceptable? The Cumbria and Lancashire strategic health authority confirmed in March that the waiting time was now 93 weeks, which many would regard as unbearable. I have been told that action has been taken to address that deficit, so will the Minister confirm that he will do everything possible to speed up all the necessary measures to reduce that totally unacceptable waiting period?

Answer: I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that that was and is unacceptable and I congratulate him on highlighting those issues. Appropriate action has been taken to deal with the problem, as he has acknowledged. For example, in his locality a number of new posts and services have been created: a clinical child psychologist, a child and adolescent mental health services assistant psychologist, part-time administrative support, an attention deficit disorder nurse, a primary care liaison specialist post and a specialist health worker located in the youth offending team. All that investment should significantly improve the position. I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will keep me informed of developments; we certainly expect to see significant progress in the months ahead.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 446 c846-8
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Access Children Mental health services Waiting lists Young people Psychology
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk