Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has reviewed the recommendation of the Health and Social Care Committee for the establishment of an independent Mental Health Commissioner; and what alternative mechanisms are in place to ensure independent oversight, accountability and implementation of lessons arising from serious failures in mental health care services.

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s response to the Health and Select Committee’s fourth report of session 2024 to 2026: community mental health services, published 11 March 2026, specifically regarding recommendation 22, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-mental-health-services-governments-response-to-the-health-and-social-care-committees-report/government-response-to-the-health-and-social-care-committees-fourth-report-of-session-2024-to-2026-community-mental-health-services