Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Green and Steve Barclay

Tuesday 6th June 2023 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Green (Chesham and Amersham) (LD)]

2. What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the treatment and care available for young people with complex mental health needs.

[The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Steve Barclay)]

We have recruited an extra 4,500 NHS children’s mental health specialists, which is a 40% increase on 2019. That is part of our additional £2.3 billion of investment into mental health services, compared to four years ago.

[Sarah Green]

Earlier this year, I was contacted by a mother who told me how her daughter, who has been both autistic and anorexic, has been receiving treatment since she was 13. Sadly, her condition has significantly deteriorated in that time, and it is her firm belief that closer integration of the different services she was accessing would have resulted in much better outcomes for her daughter. Will the Secretary of State consider a review of mental health services for children and young people, to look at how to better integrate services and ensure continuity of care?

[Steve Barclay]

I am sure the whole House is sorry to hear that her constituent’s condition has deteriorated. The hon. Lady raises a very important point about integration, which is exactly the right approach. The 2022 reforms were about integrating health and social care and empowering commissioners to take a more integrated place-based approach. I am sure her local commissioners will take note of the valid point that she raises.