Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Mental Health Treatment Reform

Tuesday 8 June 2021 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department has assessed changes in waiting times for mental health treatment and noted investment of an additional 2.3 billion a year by 2023-24 through the NHS long-term plan.
  • The Minister assured that mental health is a top priority and resources are being expanded to ensure services are available for those in need as restrictions ease.
  • Eleven mental health support teams have been established in Hampshire, with 180 teams nationwide covering around 15% of pupils in England, and over 200 more are in training.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lloyd Russell-Moyle Lab
NHS Mental Health
Context

The MP noted concerns about rising waiting times for mental health services, highlighting the impact on patient care.

Question

What recent assessment has the Department made of changes in waiting times for mental health treatment?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

We are transforming mental health services through the NHS long-term plan, investing an additional £2.3 billion a year by 2023-24. Where national waiting time targets exist, the majority are being met. Targets for eating disorder services are sadly not being met, but additional resources have been allocated to increase capacity and address waiting times.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a recent assessment or evaluation specifically on changes in waiting times

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Q2 Ian Levy
NHS Mental Health
Context

The MP referenced his background in mental health services and expressed concern about the impact of pandemic restrictions on vulnerable individuals.

Question

Will my hon. Friend assure me that she will do everything possible to ensure mental health is given high priority as restrictions ease?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

I thank my hon. Friend for his years of service working in mental health. Mental health is one of this Government's top priorities, and I assure him that we are doing our utmost to ensure that mental health services are there for everyone who needs them. Through the NHS long-term plan, we are expanding and transforming mental health services in England and investing an additional £2.3 billion a year in mental health services by 2023-24.

Answered
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Q3 Damian Hinds Con East Hampshire
Mental Health
Context

The MP welcomed the priority given to young people's mental health and requested an update on specific proposals.

Question

Can the Minister give an update on progress on implementing the Green Paper proposals, particularly for mental health support teams in Hampshire?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

We are making good progress on implementing the Green Paper proposals, and I am pleased to say that we have established 11 mental health support teams in Hampshire. Nationwide, there are currently 180 mental health support teams, covering around 15% of pupils in England. Over 200 more are in training or being commissioned, and we expect to have around 400 in place by 2023-24.

Answered
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Q4 Lloyd Russell-Moyle Lab
NHS Mental Health
Context

The MP cited statistics showing a significant increase in the number of children referred to mental health services being turned away.

Question

Is the Minister comfortable with these high numbers of children being turned away from treatment and does she think waiting times are acceptable?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

The short answer to that question is no, and that is why we have committed an additional £500 million to address some of the issues highlighted. However, I must reiterate that the majority of our targets, where they have been set, are being met. Sadly, in eating disorders—we are trialling four-week waiting targets for children and young people.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether the high rejection rates or long waiting times are acceptable

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Q5 Rosena Allin-Khan Lab Tooting
NHS Mental Health
Context

The MP expressed shock at the Minister's apparent complacency regarding long waiting times for child mental health services.

Question

Will the Minister apologise to these children for not getting timely treatment and explain where things went wrong?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

I do not believe that meeting almost all our targets for NHS waiting times for mental health services, with £2.3 billion a year of investment into our NHS and no NHS mental health service closing during the entire pandemic, has been a failure. Of course I am sorry for those children and young people who cannot get access to services as quickly as they want; that is exactly why we committed an additional £500 million and established a mental health recovery plan.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a direct apology or clear explanation of where things went wrong

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