Asked by: Natalie Fleet (Labour - Bolsover)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average waiting time for patients awaiting assessment by a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service doctor has been for each of the last five years for which data is available in a) Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, b) Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and c) England.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The following table shows the median waiting time in days between a referral start date and the end of the year for referrals for children and young people aged under 18 years old supported through National Health Service funded mental health, who are still waiting for a first contact as of the end of the year, for the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and for England overall:
| 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 66 | - | 273 | 323 | 134 |
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 122 | 137 | 166 | 165 | 214 |
England | 133 | 134 | 161 | 223 | 305 |
In addition, the following table shows the median waiting times in days between referral and first contact, for referrals with a first contact in the year, for the last five years for which data is available in the Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and in England overall:
| 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 40 | 41 | - | 330 | 79 |
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 26 | 59 | 43 | 34 | 28 |
England | 7 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Source: Mental Health Services Data Set (MHSDS).
The methodology is based upon that used in the Mental Health Services Monthly Statistics but has been amended to use the first contact in the financial year rather than the quarter, for those still waiting at the end of the year. Published Mental Health Services Monthly Statistics can be found at the following link:
A first contact can be defined as either direct contact, for instance contacts where the patient was present and seen by a health professional, or indirect activity, contacts where the patient wasn't present, but their care was discussed by health professionals. This is in line with existing methodologies for children and young people accessing mental health services.
The submission of the staff details table in MHSDS is not mandatory for providers and thus the usage of this table to identify a doctor would likely result in an undercount. Therefore, first contact in this methodology may or may not be with a doctor, but would typically be with an individual considered to be a health professional.
Figures have been rounded to the nearest whole number for waiting time measures.
NHS England has provided data up to March 2025, as data past this point is still subject to change under the multiple submission window model.
The Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust did not submit any open referrals for March 2022 and therefore referrals from this provider cannot be classed as 'still waiting' and are not included in the figures for 2021/22. In addition, the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust did not submit any care contacts with an Age at Care Contact between zero and 17 years old for the whole of 2022/23 and therefore are not included in the figures for 2022/23.
Asked by: Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure police officers are trained to (a) recognise and (b) respond to the mental health needs of young people held in police custody.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
It is the responsibility of the College of Policing for setting standards for police training and development, including the national policing curriculum, leadership standards and accreditations for those who work in high risk or specialist roles. It is then the responsibility of individual police forces for local delivery of training and ongoing development for all officers and staff with support from the College.
The College’s core learning standards includes the initial training for officers under the Police Constable entry programme and incorporates content on autism, learning disabilities, mental health and other vulnerabilities. Officers are taught to assess vulnerability and adapt their approach accordingly, and guidance for Custody Sergeants covers additional legal responsibilities and safe detention, including fitness for detention and safeguarding.
To support both the recognition and response to mental health needs, the College promotes frameworks for consistent identification of vulnerability and appropriate safeguarding action. Liaison and Diversion schemes commissioned by NHS England operate in custody suites to identify and refer individuals with mental health needs or other vulnerabilities to specialist support services. These schemes also provide advice to custody staff on how best to support people with these needs.
When a death occurs in custody, the College’s Authorised Professional Practice sets out procedures for forces to follow. These include reporting deaths to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, investigating and analysing incidents, and implementing lessons learned.
Policing is operationally independent, and chief constables decide on any additional training locally. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services regularly inspects police forces, including on how they protect vulnerable people.
Asked by: Ian Roome (Liberal Democrat - North Devon)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of police training relating to the care of vulnerable young people held in police custody.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
It is the responsibility of the College of Policing for setting standards for police training and development, including the national policing curriculum, leadership standards and accreditations for those who work in high risk or specialist roles. It is then the responsibility of individual police forces for local delivery of training and ongoing development for all officers and staff with support from the College.
The College’s core learning standards includes the initial training for officers under the Police Constable entry programme and incorporates content on autism, learning disabilities, mental health and other vulnerabilities. Officers are taught to assess vulnerability and adapt their approach accordingly, and guidance for Custody Sergeants covers additional legal responsibilities and safe detention, including fitness for detention and safeguarding.
To support both the recognition and response to mental health needs, the College promotes frameworks for consistent identification of vulnerability and appropriate safeguarding action. Liaison and Diversion schemes commissioned by NHS England operate in custody suites to identify and refer individuals with mental health needs or other vulnerabilities to specialist support services. These schemes also provide advice to custody staff on how best to support people with these needs.
When a death occurs in custody, the College’s Authorised Professional Practice sets out procedures for forces to follow. These include reporting deaths to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, investigating and analysing incidents, and implementing lessons learned.
Policing is operationally independent, and chief constables decide on any additional training locally. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services regularly inspects police forces, including on how they protect vulnerable people.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) quality and (b) accessibility of health and care services for people with learning disabilities in Surrey Heath constituency.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Significant action is underway to improve the quality and accessibility of health and care services for people with a learning disability at a local level, helping to deliver the shift from treatment to prevention, outlined in our 10-Year Health Plan, which is avaiable at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/10-year-health-plan-for-england-fit-for-the-future
The national Learning Disabilities Health Check Scheme is designed to encourage general practices to identify all patients aged 14 years old and over with a learning disability, and to offer them an annual health check and health action plan. Further information on the Learning Disabilities Health Check Scheme is available at the following link:
The latest published data for Surrey Heath shows that 82.78% of people with a learning disability in the area had completed a health check, and that 80.19% of learning disability patients in Surrey Heath had a completed health action plan. The latest published data for Surrey Heath is avaiable at the following link:
According to recently published data on Health and Care of People with Learning Disabilities, 81.5% of people with a learning disability had completed an annual health check in England. Further information on the recently published data on Health and Care of People with Learning Disabilities is avaiable at the following link:
The Surrey All Ages Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Oversight Committee routinely monitors the following:
- admissions and discharges for adults, and children and young people with a learning disability and any barriers to timely discharge;
- mandatory training on learning disability and autism;
- performance on Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews and commissioner oversight visits;
- Dynamic Support Register governance; and
- implementation of the Reasonable Adjustments Digital Flag.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has data on the average waiting times for (a) ADHD and (b) Autism assessments for young people in the (i) South East, (ii) Surrey, and (iii) Surrey Heath constituency.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the National Health Service fit for the future and recognises the need for early intervention and support. It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including provision of autism and ADHD services, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
The NICE guidance for the assessment of autism recommends that the length between referral and first appointment should be no more than 13 weeks. We know that this is not happening routinely across the country. In respect of ADHD, the NICE guideline on ADHD does not recommend a maximum waiting time for people to receive an assessment for ADHD or a diagnosis, however it sets out best practice on providing a diagnosis.
There is, at present, no single, established dataset that can be used to monitor waiting times for assessment and diagnosis for ADHD for individual organisations or geographies in England. Although the data requested is not held centrally, it may be held locally by individual NHS trusts or commissioners.
NHS England published management information on ADHD waits at a national level for the first time on 29 May 2025 as part of its ADHD data improvement plan, which is avaiable at the following link:
https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-adhd/november-2025
In respect of autism, the most recent data, published on 13 November 2025, is available on the NHS England website at the following link:
Through the NHS Medium-term planning framework, published 24 October 2025, NHS England has set clear expectations for local ICBs and trusts to improve access, experience, and outcomes for autism and ADHD services over the next three years, focusing on improving quality and productivity.
My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD, and Autism. This independent review will inform our approach to enabling people with ADHD and autistic people to have the right support in place to enable them to live well in their communities.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for (a) ADHD and (b) autism assessments for children and young people in Surrey Heath constituency.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the National Health Service fit for the future and recognises the need for early intervention and support. It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including provision of autism and ADHD services, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
The NICE guidance for the assessment of autism recommends that the length between referral and first appointment should be no more than 13 weeks. We know that this is not happening routinely across the country. In respect of ADHD, the NICE guideline on ADHD does not recommend a maximum waiting time for people to receive an assessment for ADHD or a diagnosis, however it sets out best practice on providing a diagnosis.
There is, at present, no single, established dataset that can be used to monitor waiting times for assessment and diagnosis for ADHD for individual organisations or geographies in England. Although the data requested is not held centrally, it may be held locally by individual NHS trusts or commissioners.
NHS England published management information on ADHD waits at a national level for the first time on 29 May 2025 as part of its ADHD data improvement plan, which is avaiable at the following link:
https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-adhd/november-2025
In respect of autism, the most recent data, published on 13 November 2025, is available on the NHS England website at the following link:
Through the NHS Medium-term planning framework, published 24 October 2025, NHS England has set clear expectations for local ICBs and trusts to improve access, experience, and outcomes for autism and ADHD services over the next three years, focusing on improving quality and productivity.
My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD, and Autism. This independent review will inform our approach to enabling people with ADHD and autistic people to have the right support in place to enable them to live well in their communities.
Asked by: Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat - Eastleigh)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has assessed the adequacy of access to CAMHS services for children in Eastleigh constituency.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department has made no assessment of the adequacy of access to children and adolescent mental health services for children in the Eastleigh constituency.
The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to boost mental health support across the country, including children and young people’s mental health services in the Eastleigh constituency.
As prioritised in our Medium-Term Planning Framework, we are taking action to reduce the longest waits for specialist mental health support, tackling regional disparities, and expanding access, thereby making services more productive so children and young people spend less time waiting for the treatment they need.
We are also accelerating the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams in schools and colleges to reach full national coverage by 2029. As part of this, we are investing an additional £13 million to pilot enhanced training for staff so that they can offer more effective support to young people with complex needs, such as trauma, neurodivergence and disordered eating. With an additional 900,000 children and young people having access by this spring, 60% of all pupils will have access to this early support at school, up from 44% in spring 2024.
More widely, we are, rolling out Young Futures Hubs. The Government’s first 50 Young Futures Hubs will bring together services at a local level to support children and young people, helping to ensure that young people can access early advice and wellbeing intervention. We will work to ensure there is no wrong door for young people who need support with their mental health.
Asked by: Simon Opher (Labour - Stroud)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Association of Colleges' report entitled From treatment to prevention: how colleges can build a healthier society, published in December 2025, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on supporting further education colleges to deliver programmes for young people not in education, employment or training due to health reasons.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department consults with Cabinet colleagues on a range of policies, and we are determined to break down barriers to opportunity for all young people, including those with specific needs.
We have introduced the Youth Guarantee to tackle the number of those who are not in education, employment or training and improve access to opportunities.
Colleges are responsible for ensuring that their provision is designed, delivered, and continuously improved to meet the needs of all students and are subject to statutory duties and responsibilities in the area of special educational needs and disabilities. This underpins our commitment to providing all young people with learning difficulties and disabilities with the opportunities they need.
The department also continues to work closely with the further education (FE) sector to promote and support providers to develop mental health and wellbeing approaches. This is supported by the FE student support champion, Polly Harrow, who is improving colleges' ability to give learners the full opportunity to succeed and progress.
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how organisations providing mental health services to children and young people can engage with the Independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has launched an independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. We are deeply concerned that many adults, young people and children with mental health conditions, ADHD and autism have been let down by services and are not receiving timely or appropriate support and treatment. This Government has already taken significant steps to stabilise and improve NHS mental health services but there is much more to do. Transforming the system will take time, but we are committed to delivering a new approach to mental health.
Therefore, this independent review will inform our new approach to mental health, so people receive the right support, at the right time and in the right place. Likewise, the review will inform our approach so that people with ADHD and autistic people have the right support in place to enable them to live well in their communities.
As this is an independent review, it is for the Chair and Vice-chairs to consider who to consult and the relevant forums for engagement, that are relevant to deliver the terms of reference, set by the Department.
Asked by: Baroness Maclean of Redditch (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether there has been a correlation between the months in which children are born and the rate of mental health problems or neurodivergence diagnosis in those under 18 years old in each of the past five years.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
No assessment has been made between the months in which children are born and the rate of mental health problems or neurodivergence diagnosis in those under 18 years old in each of the past five years.
The 10-Year Health Plan sets out how we will work with schools and colleges to better identify and meet children's mental health needs by expanding mental health support teams in schools and colleges in England, to reach full national coverage by 2029.
In addition, the Government’s first 50 Young Futures Hubs will bring together services at a local level to support children and young people, helping to ensure that young people can access early advice and wellbeing intervention.
My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced on 4 December the launch of an independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism. We are launching this review to understand the rises in prevalence and demand on services, so people receive the right support at the right time and in the right place.