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Crisis Houses

22 May 2024

Lead MP

Bambos Charalambous
Southgate and Wood Green
Lab

Responding Minister

Maria Caulfield

Tags

NHSSocial CareEmploymentForeign AffairsMental Health
Word Count: 2982
Other Contributors: 0

At a Glance

Bambos Charalambous raised concerns about crisis houses in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key Requests to Government:

The Government must introduce legislation to harmonise regulation across all crisis houses under a single oversight body like the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to prevent further tragedies. The Minister should provide clear mechanisms for raising concerns about substandard care in crisis houses, ensuring appropriate safeguarding processes are in place.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Lead Contributor

Southgate and Wood Green
Opened the debate
In October 2021, the MP learned about crisis houses following a constituent's daughter's death in one. The case of Jess Durdy highlights that unregulated crisis houses can lack necessary training and proper care standards. In her case, staff were unable to respond effectively to warnings of suicidal thoughts, used unsafe door locks, and failed to provide emergency services with timely information, leading to Jess's untimely demise. There are now around 70 crisis houses nationwide, but the current regulatory patchwork fails to ensure consistent safety and care standards.

Government Response

Maria Caulfield
Government Response
Improving mental health crisis services has been a priority for the Government, with over £150 million invested in urgent and emergency care infrastructure, including £7 million towards specialist mental health ambulances. More than 160 projects have received funding, resulting in completed initiatives such as crisis houses, cafés, step-down services, and helplines linked through NHS 111 for consistent access to local crisis teams. Crisis houses specifically provide accommodation and support, with some offering regulated care including drug and alcohol assessment; however, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) does not regulate all crisis houses. The Minister expressed concern about suicide prevention, noting a 15% lower rate for detention under the Mental Health Act due to these services. She highlighted ongoing work on ligature points in various settings like crisis houses and prisons, aiming to reduce suicides among high-risk groups such as those with pre-existing mental health issues. Although she could not commit to regulating all crisis houses, she pledged to discuss improving standards and safeguards for staff training and patient safety with the Government's suicide prevention advisor.
Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates

Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.