Written question asked by Nicholas Winterton (Conservative) on Monday, 25 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 November 2004. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 November 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether it is his Department's policy to increase provision of community care for mentally ill mothers with babies; and if he will make a statement on the introduction of home treatment teams.

Answer: Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether it is his Department's policy to increase provision of community care for mentally ill mothers with babies; and if he will make a statement on the introduction of home treatment teams. [194373] Ms Rosie Winterton: Specialised perinatal psychiatric services, including the provision of mother and baby units, have been considered by an expert group chaired by the national director for mental health and the conclusions from that group are expected to be published early in the new year. Local delivery plans produced by strategic health authorities show that they have plans to establish 335 crisis resolution teams in England by the end of 2004. These teams are designed to respond quickly to people in crisis to provide assessment and treatment wherever they are, and prevent unnecessary admissions to psychiatric in-patient care.

Secondary information