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Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Karen Buck (Labour). It was answered on Tuesday, 25 February 2014 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Mental Health Crisis Beds

Question

The clinical director of child and adolescent mental health services in my mental health trust recently said:

“Sometimes we have to make 50 to 100 phone calls around the country looking for a bed… young people shouldn’t be shunted around the country into inappropriate facilities.”

Another psychologist dealing with a case in my constituency told me:

“It is very difficult to get young people into in-patient services at present due to the high number of cases and reductions in funding from NHS England.”

Is that not an intolerable situation in which to leave traumatised young people? How quickly will the Minister’s review be completed so that we can end that tragedy?

Answer

The review being undertaken by NHS England will report in March. I agree that that situation is intolerable, but I have made it very clear on many occasions that there is an institutional bias against mental health in the NHS. Interestingly, the Health Committee report on deficits in 2006-07 specifically made the point that mental health was particularly targeted, so that always happens when NHS finances are tight. However, it cannot happen, because there has to be parity of esteem, including in the way in which money is distributed in the NHS.

Secondary information

Type
Oral question
Reference
576 cc149-150 
Session
2013-14
Oral question type
1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Hospital beds Mental health services Young people
Link
View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk