Mental Health Act Reform Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateLord Boateng
Main Page: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Boateng's debates with the Department of Health and Social Care
(3 years, 7 months ago)
Lords ChamberI call the noble Lord, Lord Singh of Wimbledon. No? Lord Boateng.
My Lords, the Minister is to be commended for calling out racism, because that is what many black and south Asian patients experience. Will he ensure that commissioners in the field, with this new money given to them, fund local, community-based advocacy groups? And will he ensure the health review tribunals reflect the communities on which they are adjudicating and recognise racism in the mental health service?
My Lords, the role of health review tribunals is critical, and more needs to be done to ensure that they reflect the communities they represent. I am not sure it is the role of mental health trusts to finance local advocacy groups, but he is right that they make a difference and hold the system to account. The broader issue of racism in the NHS is a cross-institutional challenge that must be addressed by all parts of the NHS, and we are committed to doing so.