Asked by
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to
ensure that mental health services are available in (1) acute,
and (2) community, care settings (a) during, and (b) after, the
COVID-19 pandemic.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health
and Social Care ()
(Con) [V]
My Lords, the mental health challenge of Covid is a serious
matter, and I pay tribute to NHS mental health services in both
acute and community care settings, which have remained opened for
business throughout this time, including delivering support
digitally, over the phone and, where possible, face to face.
There are no plans to stand down that support after the peak of
the pandemic and we remain committed to our NHS long-term plan
ambitions for increasing mental health services in acute and
community care settings.
(LD) [V]
In July 2019, the Government committed £2.3 billion for services
for 370,000 people with severe mental illness. Will the Minister
give an undertaking that if, as expected, Covid-19 causes greater
demand for mental health services, that money will be increased?
[V]
My Lords, we are investigating the long-term implications on our
services from Covid-19. We are engaging with counterparts across
Whitehall and, if necessary, we will invest further money.
However, the mental health impact of Covid is not clear yet, and
we await the final implications of that.
My Lords, at least one of the churches in my diocese recently set
up a mental well-being centre, providing support groups, a
helpline and signposting to professional services. Has the
Minister considered inviting churches and other faith
communities, with their knowledge of, trust within and
connections to the local community, including networks of young
people, to participate in the response to the mental health needs
caused by Covid-19?
[V]
The right reverend Prelate makes a good point, and I thank very
much indeed those from all faith groups who have provided
important pastoral support during this difficult time. On a
practical matter, the funding for the mental health projects from
our £5 million fund has gone to 130 different charities through
the coronavirus mental health response fund. We are assessing the
impact of those and we look forward to the recommendations of the
Mind and mental health consortia which are behind that fund.
(Con) [V]
Mental health community projects are supporting people during
coronavirus, and the Government’s announcement in May of £5
million of additional funding marked the first round of funding
to be allocated to the sector. When will the second wave of
projects receive funding, and will that include extra training
for staff and to recruit more to service the 24/7 helplines?
[V]
I pay tribute to charities and other community projects which
have contributed to a wide range of projects across mental
health, learning disabilities, dementia, isolation, befriending,
domestic abuse, women’s issues and BAME groups. As I mentioned
earlier, the Mind and mental health consortia are making
recommendations about the progress of the fund. I look forward to
their recommendations and we will act on them wherever we can.
(CB) [V]
My Lords, one consequence of the pandemic has been increased
rates of violence or harm against old, young and other vulnerable
people. Increased pressure on people’s mental health during the
lockdown will likely have contributed to that. Should the
Government make it obligatory for threats of violence, which
could be bravado but which could also be dangerous, to be
reported to the police as well as to social services, and would
such measures help reduce domestic and other forms of abuse and
ensure early intervention when someone is having a serious mental
health episode?
[V]
My Lords, threats of violence under any circumstances are
reprehensible, and those aimed at the old and the vulnerable are
in a category of their own. It is up to the clinical judgment of
those involved in social care to decide whether the involvement
of the police is of benefit and worth. I would not want to apply
a blanket ruling on that, but the noble Baroness makes an
extremely important point, which we are constantly reviewing.
(Ind Lab) [V]
My Lords, there is increasing evidence that the mental health of
children and young people has been badly affected by the Covid-19
lockdown. Given that the provision of mental health services to
this age group was already inadequate, why has progress in
implementing plans in the Green Paper on child mental health been
so poor, particularly in the rollout of child mental health
teams? What steps will the Government now take to rectify that?
[V]
The noble Baroness is likely correct that the epidemic has had a
particular effect on children and young people. The evidence on
this is not crystal clear, but that is the strong instinct of all
those in the field. I personally welcome the reopening of
schools, which will have a particularly beneficial effect on
those children who at present are stuck at home and do not have
the support of the school system. Mental health services for
young people are part of our long-term plan, with the additional
£2.3 billion of spending on mental health. Our ambitions in that
area remain enormous.
(LD)
My Lords, the Mental Health Act is no longer fit for purpose.
With outdated legislation, both children and adults are at risk
while either at home or in a care setting. In the aftermath of
the Covid epidemic, there is no time for delay. When should we
expect a Bill here in Parliament? If that is not in the
Minister’s brief today, would he write to me?
[V]
My Lords, we remain committed to publishing a White Paper that
will set out the Government’s response to Sir Simon Wessely’s
independent review of the Mental Health Act 1983 and pave the way
for reform of that Act. We will publish it as soon as possible.
The Covid epidemic does nothing but incentivise us to move as
quickly as possible on this.
(CB) [V]
My Lords, does the Minister share my concern that the data he
kindly supplied in Written Answer HL5619 on 22 June shows an 11%
increase in March in prescriptions for anti-depressants over the
same month last year? Is he therefore considering urgent measures
to increase the funding and availability of psychological
therapies instead?
[V]
My Lords, I am as concerned about the over-prescription of
anti-depressants as the noble Earl and would much prefer people
to take cognitive therapies than drugs wherever possible. As I
mentioned earlier, we have invested in two major rounds of
support for community groups to help those struggling with their
mental health, and we are reviewing additional funding for those
schemes. We will keep a careful eye on the prescription of
anti-depressants, which we are all concerned about.
(Lab)
My Lords, health and social care workers battling through the
coronavirus pandemic are paying a heavy mental and emotional toll
and will continue to do so. Yet the current mental health support
available is not adequate. Will the Government commit to
appointing a new independent national well-being guardian to
co-ordinate and oversee a proper mental health support package
for all NHS and care staff?
[V]
My Lords, the work on the NHS people plan continues during the
epidemic and we look forward to making the first announcement on
that shortly, which will cover many of the concerns of the noble
Baroness. I also remind the House that, on 15 June, Public Health
England unveiled its psychological first-aid training course,
developed by PHE, which has proved extremely helpful, as has the
confidential helpline that was unveiled on 8 April, which we
continue to support.
(LD) [V]
My Lords, people with diabetes are twice as likely to experience
depression as those without, and a third of Covid-19 deaths in
England are linked to people with diabetes. A survey by Diabetes
UK shows that three-quarters of people with diabetes who have
felt that they needed specialist mental health support cannot
access it. How can the Government help to ensure that more people
are tested for diabetes and that those with the condition receive
comprehensive check-ups, including screening and support for
mental health issues?
[V]
My Lords, we are investing in new and additional diabetes testing
arrangements. Testing is essential for the diagnosis and
management of this affliction. The noble Lord is entirely right
that the connection between Covid deaths and diabetes appears
profound. It is a wake-up call for the whole country and puts a
spotlight on the large amount of diabetes in the UK. We will
unveil plans in the future for refocusing on this important
public health issue.
