Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 7 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 July 2003. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 July 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of unmet need with respect to child and adolescent mental health services, broken down by (a) region and (b)strategic health authority; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures and fact that the information on which to base such an assessment is not collected centrally.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of unmet need with respect to child and adolescent mental health services, broken down by (a) region and (b) strategic health authority; and if he will make a statement. [124921] Dr. Ladyman: The information on which to base such an assessment is not collected centrally. Needs assessment is the responsibility of local agencies as part of their service planning activity. Systematic mapping of local child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) provision across England was launched last year and it is intended to repeat this annually. This will provide detailed information on service provision, service activity levels and expenditure on CAMHS by provider trust and by local authority and primary care trust commissioners. Data currently available can be found on the dedicated website at www.dur.ac.uk/ service.mapping/CAMH/. The Government's strategy for the development of CAMHS, initiated in 1999, has made significant progress in improving the overall quality and accessibility of local services for children and young people with mental health problems. Our current central investment programme of £250 million over the coming three years aims to help secure comprehensive CAMHS in all areas by 2006, in line with the objectives contained in "Improvement, Expansion, Reform the Priorities and Planning Framework 2003-06" published by the Department in October 2002.

Secondary information