Crisis Houses

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

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.