Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to Mental Health Services

Tuesday 5 December 2023 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial steps include Health in Mind for psychological support and a 24/7 mental health crisis line via 111.
  • Blue light triage and Brighton and Hove mental health rapid response services are being rolled out.
  • No Bill to reform the Mental Health Act is scheduled in the King's Speech, but pre-legislative scrutiny is ongoing.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lloyd Russell-Moyle Lab
NHS Mental Health
Context

The MP notes ongoing issues with wait times for mental health services, particularly in Sussex where the trust faces resource shortages. Wait times are reported at 190 days for children and young people.

Question

What steps is she taking to improve access to mental health services? The Minister will know that the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust does vital work but lacks resources; wait times are 190 days for children and young people. A mother in Peacehaven's son waits for an ADHD diagnosis, affecting his school performance.

Answer from Maria Caulfield

Higher rates of mental health illness exist in Sussex with a 15% increase in A&E attendances. Multiple schemes are available: Health in Mind offers psychological support, the Sussex mental health crisis line is now open 24/7 via 111, and blue light triage and Brighton and Hove mental health rapid response services are also available.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assurances about reduced wait times and additional resources were not provided

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Q2 Lloyd Russell-Moyle Lab
NHS Mental Health
Context

The MP discusses wait times for children and young people in Sussex at 190 days, impacting their ability to receive necessary support.

Question

Wait times are 190 days for children and young people in the constituency; a mother's son waits for an ADHD diagnosis affecting his school performance. What assurances can be given that wait times will decrease and resources will increase?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

Multiple schemes exist in Sussex: Health in Mind offers psychological support, the 24/7 mental health crisis line is accessible via 111, blue light triage services are being rolled out, and a rapid response service operates 24/7.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assurances about reduced wait times and increased resources were not given

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Q3 James Morris Con
Mental Health
Context

The MP references the Government's previous manifesto commitment to reform the Mental Health Act, highlighting issues such as disproportionate sectioning of black and minority ethnic people and inappropriate settings for those with learning disabilities.

Question

The Minister mentioned parity of esteem but not fulfilling the 2017 and 2019 manifesto commitment to reform the Mental Health Act; no Bill is in the King's Speech. Can she agree that issues prior to 2017, such as disproportionate sectioning and inappropriate settings for those with learning disabilities, still exist? What encouragement can she give to reform the Act?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

It remains our intention to bring forward a Bill when parliamentary time allows. We have put through pre-legislative scrutiny and are responding to the Joint Committee's report.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific encouragement regarding appointment of a mental health commissioner was not provided

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