Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Champion and Norman Lamb

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.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Champion and Norman Lamb

Tuesday 15th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Norman Lamb]

I entirely share the hon. Gentleman’s concern. The Government have already taken action: we set out a strategy in March last year, and we are now consulting on the introduction of a minimum alcohol price. That could save up to 700 lives a year in 10 years’ time, which would make a dramatic difference. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman supports what the Government are doing.

[Sarah Champion (Rotherham) (Lab)]

Damage to health as a result of alcohol consumption often leads to wider social damage. I have seen that at first hand when visiting shelters for the homeless in Rotherham. Many homeless people cannot gain access to rehabilitation services because they do not have GPs to refer them. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that those services are available to everyone, especially those who need them most?

[Norman Lamb]

The hon. Lady has raised a really important point. One of the consequences of the responsibility deal is that by 2015, 1 billion units of alcohol—about 2%—will be taken out of the market, and that will help some problem drinkers significantly. Moreover, the money that the Government are investing in public health gives local authorities an opportunity to invest in prevention services in order to deal specifically with the core group of people to whom the hon. Lady has referred.