Oral Answers to Questions

Sarah Champion Excerpts

Tuesday 25th February 2014 Commons Chamber

[Norman Lamb]

As far as possible, we should be trying to ensure that children with mental health crises can remain at home; it does not make sense, in very many cases, to put them into in-patient care. However, we have made it clear, as has NHS England and as was confirmed in the crisis care concordat last week, that beds should be locally available whenever they are needed.

[Sarah Champion (Rotherham) (Lab)]

19. Will the Minister indicate when a clear strategy for the commissioning of tier 4 mental health beds will be determined and what additional resources will be made available to support the mental health needs of children and young people? The current situation is intolerable.

[Norman Lamb]

I mentioned earlier that the rapid review that is being undertaken by NHS England will report in March. It is essential that we have sufficient beds available, as close to home as possible, for children and young people. As I also said earlier, as far as possible children should be cared for at home, and only as a last resort should they go into in-patient care.