Mental Health Treatment: Waiting Times

Lord Davies of Brixton Excerpts

Monday 3rd February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

It is important that children with ADHD receive the right education and the right support. We are working with the Department for Education to make sure that happens.

[Lord Davies of Brixton (Lab)]

I welcome my noble friend the Minister’s replies to the questions asked. I know she is personally committed to improving the services provided to people suffering from problems with their mental health. However, is she aware of the concern that has been expressed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists that the increased autonomy allowed to local health authorities will, without clear guidance, lead to inadequate investment in mental health services? Can she provide some reassurance for the royal college?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I am grateful to my noble friend for raising this. There are whole areas in which we are seeking to turn this round, and I know my noble friend is aware of the challenges we face. To highlight just one, I refer him to the fact that the Government have chosen to prioritise funding for talking therapies and to deliver that expansion. That is really important because, in all of this, we have to make the move from dealing with sickness to prevention, and I believe this is a very strong example of how we can do that.