Chamber and committees

The following table shows the number of males treated in an acute general hospital, mental illness hospital or psychiatric unit between July 2000 and June 2001:

	Anorexia Nervosa	Bulimia
Male patients	7	4

Source: ISD Scotland, SMR01/04.Provisional.A sample of general practitioner consultations, produces figures which are too low to allow a meaningful, robust national estimate of those treated by primary care services.

The numbers of patients are very low (under five) and to provide the exact figure could allow them to be identified, which would breach their right to patient confidentiality.

The Mental Health and Well Being Support Group continues its visits to the relevant agencies in each area and publishes a report on the progress made in each case, in implementing the Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland modernisation agenda. Each report now includes an overall summary which assesses the stage reached on individual components of a good fit for purpose mental health service. For example, an assessment of the local approach to eating disorder and psychological interventions services are included. These reports are available on the support group's website at:www.show.scot.nhs.uk/mhwbsg.

Throughout Scotland, people suffering from eating disorders are diagnosed and treated by general psychiatrists. In addition, specialist services have been established in Lanarkshire, Lothian, Highland and Grampian. These services range from specialist eating disorder teams to single nurse specialist posts. Some of the specialist services are available to residents of other NHS board areas.

All authorities have received help to establish multi-agency teams to develop programmes aimed at reducing youth crime. The Executive is completing a mapping exercise of all local authorities to measure progress. The results will be available in the Parliament's Reference Centre shortly.

Funding for Local Rural Partnerships is provided by the Executive through the Rural Strategic Support Fund, an element of the Scottish Rural Partnership Fund. The fund is operated by an annual bidding process. No application has been submitted to the scheme from, or on behalf of, the Highland Perthshire Communities Partnership for the 2002-03 bidding round.

Local Rural Partnerships are funded by the Executive through the Rural Strategic Support Fund. This fund is one of the three elements that make up the Scottish Rural Partnership Fund.No funding has been sought by Highland Perthshire Communities Partnership from the Scottish Rural Partnership Fund in the last three financial years, although the partnership did receive some funding in earlier years.

During the 2001-02 financial year, the Executive has made available some £211,000 to local rural partnerships through the Rural Strategic Support Fund. The fund, which facilitates the establishment of local rural partnerships, is one of the three elements that make up the Scottish Rural Partnership Fund.

The published guidelines, Patient Focus Public Involvement, set out detailed proposals on building capacity and communications, patient information and meaningful involvement. It shows how NHSScotland will better link, listen and support individuals and groups. The development of eating disorder care, support and advocacy groups will benefit with all other interests in terms of the steps set out and the ambition shown in the published guidance.

Our published guidance calls for agencies to work together to access accurate information to better inform parents, education, health and social work professionals and others in the identification of the early and other signs of eating disorders.For schools, the advice contained in National Guidance 5-14 Health Education already includes strands on physical, emotional, and social health. These in turn link to suggested discussion areas for pupils on body image, peer and media influences and how this can impact on lifestyle choices.For those in higher education the institutions already provide a range of welfare, personal counselling and advisory services to students on a range of life issues and in some cases specific reference is already made to eating disorders.