To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to London local authorities on the provision of move-on accommodation for residents of specialist mental health hostels in London. (230023)

The Department has not issued any guidance to London local authorities on the provision of move-on accommodation for residents of specialist mental health hostels in London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given to (a) primary care trusts and (b) local authorities in London on (i) the assessment of mental health needs in their catchment areas and (ii) the allocation of appropriate levels of funding. (230027)

Since 1 April 2008, local authorities and primary care trusts (PCTs) have been under a statutory duty to produce a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) to establish the current and future health and wellbeing needs of their population, which includes mental health needs. Guidance on Joint Strategic Needs Assessment was published in December 2007, following consultation on the Commissioning Framework for Health and Wellbeing. This has been placed in the Library and is available on the Department's website at:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_081097

Responsibility for the provision of all national health service services, including mental health treatments, now rests with PCTs. Decisions about spending on treating specific conditions, including mental health, are made by each PCT and it is for PCTs, in conjunction with their strategic health authorities, to plan and develop services according to the needs of local communities across England.