Access to NHS Mental Health Services

Luke Akehurst (North Durham) (Lab) and Chris Webb (Blackpool South) (Lab) asked the Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock, to assess the adequacy of access to NHS mental health services. The Minister acknowledged that the mental health service is "on its knees" due to 14 years of Tory neglect and mismanagement, with 1 million people waiting to access mental health services and high vacancy rates. In response, the Minister stated that the Government is committed to fixing the NHS and ensuring people can access high-quality mental health support. This includes recruiting 8,500 more mental health workers, introducing specialist mental health professionals in every school, rolling out Young Futures hubs in every community, and modernising the Mental Health Act. Luke Akehurst followed up, asking the Minister to confirm whether the 8,500 extra mental health staff pledged would include much-needed community mental health nurses. The Minister assured him that the Government is committed to shifting from hospital to community care, including in the mental health sector, and is working with NHS England on the deployment of the additional 8,500 mental health workers. Chris Webb raised the tragic case of Jamie Pearson, a 27-year-old Blackpool man who took his own life after waiting nearly 24 hours to see a mental health worker in A&E. The Minister expressed his condolences and stated that all acute hospitals should now have a 24/7 mental health liaison service in A&E. He also mentioned the Government's suicide prevention strategy and his willingness to meet with the MP to discuss the issue further. Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD) and Munira Wilson (Twickenham) (LD) also raised concerns about the lack of dedicated crisis teams for child and adolescent mental health services in their constituencies and the long waiting times for children's mental health treatment. The Minister acknowledged the importance of the shift from sickness to prevention and committed to addressing these issues as part of the 10-year strategy for the future of the health service.