Context
The Liberal Democrat MP is concerned about the potential impact of changes to mental health funding on access to services, especially in his constituency where families face long waits for support. He references a previous conversation with the Secretary of State 15 months ago and cites an example of a constituent whose child has waited 10 months for a mental health assessment.
Question
What assessment have you made of the potential impact of changes to the mental health investment standard on access to mental health services? In my constituency, too many families face long and distressing waits for mental health support for children and young people. A constituent recently wrote to me that her son is waiting 10 months just for an assessment for his mental health needs. She asked how parents can watch their young people suffer for a whole year before they get any help. I am worried that the revised standard will not help this problem sufficiently. Can you tell my constituents when child and adolescent mental health waiting lists will start to fall?
Answer from Zubir Ahmed
Mental health funding will rise by £140 million in real terms this year, reaching a record £16.1 billion. That is on top of capital investment of £473 million over four years to deliver new models of care and digital transformation. Early intervention for children's mental health and wellbeing is provided through rolling out mental health support teams in every school by 2029. A £13 million pilot will enhance training for staff to offer more support to young people with complex needs. The government aims to ensure that, as they digitally transform services, both children and adults can access talking therapies where necessary.
Not addressed: The specific question about when waiting lists will start to fall was not directly addressed.
Was this summary accurate? Tell us
How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)