Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services 2024-01-23
2024-01-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the lack of access to child and adolescent mental health services in her constituency, citing specific cases where families have been waiting for extended periods without necessary support.
I am concerned about many constituents in Tamworth coming to me in desperate need of support for their children. Those include Kate whose daughter is at crisis point and has been without a psychiatrist since November; Roger who has waited 18 months for an autism referral for his daughter; and Jess waiting for an ADHD assessment for her son. Will the Minister explain what action she is taking so that children, parents and families in my constituency can get the support they need?
Through the investment we are putting in, particularly in the hon. Lady's local area, there are a number of initiatives to help support children and young people with their mental health. The Sandbox scheme supports those in the south Staffordshire area; Malachi provides family support across Tamworth and east Staffordshire; Combined Wellbeing covers north Staffordshire as an online resource; Family Wellbeing Service for ages 5-18 with mild to moderate needs; Staffordshire Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service for ages 5-18. I recommend constituents look up these funded services to improve mental health care in her local area.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP notes the additional funding for child and adolescent mental health services but seeks clarity on specific steps being taken to address urgent needs in her constituency.
What steps she is taking to increase access to child and adolescent mental health services, given that many constituents are desperate for support?
We are investing an extra £2.3 billion a year to expand mental health services in England, aiming for 2 million more people to access mental health support including 345,000 children and young people.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific local actions and timelines were not provided despite the question's focus on urgent needs of constituents.
Under Review
Considering
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about avoidable deaths in the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, citing a recent report highlighting issues over three years.
Will she agree to meet me, other Norfolk and Suffolk MPs, and those affected to look at what is really going on here and make sure that we turn that trust into a beacon of the best mental health services rather than the worst?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue. We were holding regular meetings with Norfolk and Suffolk MPs, the trust, the Care Quality Commission and NHS England, and with the new management team, that trust did appear to finally be turning things around. However, I am concerned to hear the points he has raised. I am very happy to restart those meetings and will ask my office to arrange them as quickly as possible.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy