TREATMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

Early day motion 299, tabled 24 October 2001 by Liam Fox (Conservative). Signed by 77 members.

That this House notes with concern the findings of the Zito Trust Report 'The Practice Gap in Schizophrenia' that many patients with severe mental illness are being denied access to modern drugs which reduce the devastating side-effects of some older treatments and that there are huge regional variations in prescribing rates for the modern medicines; notes that NICE is currently appraising these modern medicines, but is forced by government inappropriately to take affordability into account in doing so; further notes that widespread general concern amongst mental health professionals, users and carers that the Government is not delivering improvements in treatment; and urges the Government to take steps to ensure that mental health is a secure priority and that promised improvements are achieved in practice.

Signatures by party: Conservative 50, Liberal Democrat 10, Labour 8, DUP 4, Plaid Cymru 2, UUP 2, Labour/Co-operative 1.