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Dept of Health

Answer

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on access for mental health patients to (a) fresh air, (b) exercise and (c) meaningful recreation; and what measures he has put in place to achieve this. [188866] Ms Rosie Winterton: As set out in the "National service framework for mental health" (1999) and "Mental health policy implementation guide on adult acute inpatient care" (2002), a flexible range of appropriate therapeutic and recreational resources and activities must be available in mental health inpatient settings. "National minimum standards for general adult services in psychiatric intensive care units and low secure environments" (2002) requires all patients to have access to fresh air and secure external space and space for regular exercise with appropriate supervision. This guidance also recommends such services to provide access to a games room in which board games, art equipment and stereo equipment is placed. Performance ratings of mental health trusts produced by the Healthcare Commission use performance indicators assessing the suitability of physical environments to meet the needs of service users and to ensure their privacy and dignity. Copies of these publications are available in the Library.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

424 c1982W;424 c1980W; 188866

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Leisure Psychiatric patients Mental health services Psychiatric hospitals Standards Exercise

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk