Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to announcement of reform of the Mental Health Act 1983, what plans the Government has to reduce the number inpatient mental health beds in dormitory-style wards; and if he will make it his policy to end the use of dormitory style wards in all mental health units.

The Independent Review of the Mental Health Act 1983 recommended that all existing dormitory accommodation should be updated to allow patients the privacy of their own room. The NHS Long Term Plan also recognised that capital investment is needed to upgrade the physical environment for inpatient psychiatric care but that this would be subject to the next capital review.

We will publish a white paper in early 2020 that will set out the Government’s response to the Review’s recommendations and we will bring forward a Mental Health Bill to amend the Act when parliamentary time allows.

In addition, the NHS Long Term Plan will deliver improvements to crisis and community mental health services as an alternative to inpatient care through increased investment of at least a further £2.3 billion a year by 2023/24.