Written question asked by Oliver Heald (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 12 July 2002. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Friday, 12 July 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many more staff will need to be recruited to acute mental health wards as a result of implementation of the Working Time Regulations; and if he will make a statement as to his plans. - No figures given.

Answer: Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many more staff will need to be recruited to acute mental health wards as a result of implementation of the Working Time Regulations; and if he will make a statement as to his plans. [67971] Mr. Hutton: The working time regulations currently fully apply to all staff except for doctors in training. The Department is currently in the process of supporting a range of pilot projects to test solutions to implementation of the working time directive. This includes mental health services.

Secondary information