Asked by: Charlotte Cane (Liberal Democrat - Ely and East Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of arrangements for verifying the disciplinary and safeguarding records of applicants for employment in adult social care settings.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 23 October in response to Question 31174.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman entitled Improving ADHD and Autism Services: Commissioning with Confidence, if she will take steps to ensure that diagnostic-only providers of ADHD and autism assessments are regulated by the Care Quality Commission.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England data shows that, in August 2026, the median waiting time between referral and second contact for adults and older adults with serious mental illness accessing community mental health services was 29 days for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, compared with 38 days for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and 36 days for England. This is based on a three-month rolling reporting period.
For referrals where adults and older adults with serious mental illness were still waiting for a second contact at the end of the reporting period, the median waiting time was 47 days for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, compared with 84 days for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB and 68 days for England.
On the wider issues raised, the Hon. Member will be aware that the Independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, led by Professor Peter Fonagy, was published on 9 October, providing analysis and recommendations across a wide range of issues relating to the current provision of services in this area, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism assessments, and specialist psychiatric support for people with complex mental health needs.
The Government issued an initial response to Professor Fonagy’s report on the day of publication, including action to strengthen the oversight and regulation of ADHD and autism assessments, but we will set out the full action we are taking in response to the review recommendations in our new Mental Health Strategy to be published later this year. The response is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-pledges-earlier-support-to-tackle-mental-health-crises
The Government also remains fully committed to developing and publishing a revised cross-Government autism strategy in line with the Autism Act 2009. We will engage on the development of the revised autism strategy, including on whether the scope of the autism strategy should be extended to cover ADHD.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman entitled Improving ADHD and Autism Services: Commissioning with Confidence, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the use of digital and AI diagnostic technologies for ADHD and autism assessments.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England data shows that, in August 2026, the median waiting time between referral and second contact for adults and older adults with serious mental illness accessing community mental health services was 29 days for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, compared with 38 days for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and 36 days for England. This is based on a three-month rolling reporting period.
For referrals where adults and older adults with serious mental illness were still waiting for a second contact at the end of the reporting period, the median waiting time was 47 days for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, compared with 84 days for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB and 68 days for England.
On the wider issues raised, the Hon. Member will be aware that the Independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, led by Professor Peter Fonagy, was published on 9 October, providing analysis and recommendations across a wide range of issues relating to the current provision of services in this area, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism assessments, and specialist psychiatric support for people with complex mental health needs.
The Government issued an initial response to Professor Fonagy’s report on the day of publication, including action to strengthen the oversight and regulation of ADHD and autism assessments, but we will set out the full action we are taking in response to the review recommendations in our new Mental Health Strategy to be published later this year. The response is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-pledges-earlier-support-to-tackle-mental-health-crises
The Government also remains fully committed to developing and publishing a revised cross-Government autism strategy in line with the Autism Act 2009. We will engage on the development of the revised autism strategy, including on whether the scope of the autism strategy should be extended to cover ADHD.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman entitled Improving ADHD and Autism Services: Commissioning with Confidence, if she will take steps to introduce new national commissioning guidance and an implementation framework for ADHD and autism assessments.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England data shows that, in August 2026, the median waiting time between referral and second contact for adults and older adults with serious mental illness accessing community mental health services was 29 days for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, compared with 38 days for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and 36 days for England. This is based on a three-month rolling reporting period.
For referrals where adults and older adults with serious mental illness were still waiting for a second contact at the end of the reporting period, the median waiting time was 47 days for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, compared with 84 days for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB and 68 days for England.
On the wider issues raised, the Hon. Member will be aware that the Independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, led by Professor Peter Fonagy, was published on 9 October, providing analysis and recommendations across a wide range of issues relating to the current provision of services in this area, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism assessments, and specialist psychiatric support for people with complex mental health needs.
The Government issued an initial response to Professor Fonagy’s report on the day of publication, including action to strengthen the oversight and regulation of ADHD and autism assessments, but we will set out the full action we are taking in response to the review recommendations in our new Mental Health Strategy to be published later this year. The response is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-pledges-earlier-support-to-tackle-mental-health-crises
The Government also remains fully committed to developing and publishing a revised cross-Government autism strategy in line with the Autism Act 2009. We will engage on the development of the revised autism strategy, including on whether the scope of the autism strategy should be extended to cover ADHD.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of regional variations in the a) awareness, b) application and c) outcomes of NHS Right to Choose on people seeking an i) ADHD and ii) autism assessment.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England data shows that, in August 2026, the median waiting time between referral and second contact for adults and older adults with serious mental illness accessing community mental health services was 29 days for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, compared with 38 days for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and 36 days for England. This is based on a three-month rolling reporting period.
For referrals where adults and older adults with serious mental illness were still waiting for a second contact at the end of the reporting period, the median waiting time was 47 days for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, compared with 84 days for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB and 68 days for England.
On the wider issues raised, the Hon. Member will be aware that the Independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, led by Professor Peter Fonagy, was published on 9 October, providing analysis and recommendations across a wide range of issues relating to the current provision of services in this area, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism assessments, and specialist psychiatric support for people with complex mental health needs.
The Government issued an initial response to Professor Fonagy’s report on the day of publication, including action to strengthen the oversight and regulation of ADHD and autism assessments, but we will set out the full action we are taking in response to the review recommendations in our new Mental Health Strategy to be published later this year. The response is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-pledges-earlier-support-to-tackle-mental-health-crises
The Government also remains fully committed to developing and publishing a revised cross-Government autism strategy in line with the Autism Act 2009. We will engage on the development of the revised autism strategy, including on whether the scope of the autism strategy should be extended to cover ADHD.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of specialist psychiatric advice from Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust for GPs managing patients with complex mental health conditions in North Yorkshire; and whether she plans to improve direct access to psychiatric expertise from that trust for primary care clinicians in North Yorkshire.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England data shows that, in August 2026, the median waiting time between referral and second contact for adults and older adults with serious mental illness accessing community mental health services was 29 days for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, compared with 38 days for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and 36 days for England. This is based on a three-month rolling reporting period.
For referrals where adults and older adults with serious mental illness were still waiting for a second contact at the end of the reporting period, the median waiting time was 47 days for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, compared with 84 days for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB and 68 days for England.
On the wider issues raised, the Hon. Member will be aware that the Independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, led by Professor Peter Fonagy, was published on 9 October, providing analysis and recommendations across a wide range of issues relating to the current provision of services in this area, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism assessments, and specialist psychiatric support for people with complex mental health needs.
The Government issued an initial response to Professor Fonagy’s report on the day of publication, including action to strengthen the oversight and regulation of ADHD and autism assessments, but we will set out the full action we are taking in response to the review recommendations in our new Mental Health Strategy to be published later this year. The response is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-pledges-earlier-support-to-tackle-mental-health-crises
The Government also remains fully committed to developing and publishing a revised cross-Government autism strategy in line with the Autism Act 2009. We will engage on the development of the revised autism strategy, including on whether the scope of the autism strategy should be extended to cover ADHD.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance her Department provides to Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board on sharing discharge information with GP practices following inpatient mental health treatment; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of any such communication.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England data shows that, in August 2026, the median waiting time between referral and second contact for adults and older adults with serious mental illness accessing community mental health services was 29 days for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, compared with 38 days for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and 36 days for England. This is based on a three-month rolling reporting period.
For referrals where adults and older adults with serious mental illness were still waiting for a second contact at the end of the reporting period, the median waiting time was 47 days for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, compared with 84 days for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB and 68 days for England.
On the wider issues raised, the Hon. Member will be aware that the Independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, led by Professor Peter Fonagy, was published on 9 October, providing analysis and recommendations across a wide range of issues relating to the current provision of services in this area, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism assessments, and specialist psychiatric support for people with complex mental health needs.
The Government issued an initial response to Professor Fonagy’s report on the day of publication, including action to strengthen the oversight and regulation of ADHD and autism assessments, but we will set out the full action we are taking in response to the review recommendations in our new Mental Health Strategy to be published later this year. The response is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-pledges-earlier-support-to-tackle-mental-health-crises
The Government also remains fully committed to developing and publishing a revised cross-Government autism strategy in line with the Autism Act 2009. We will engage on the development of the revised autism strategy, including on whether the scope of the autism strategy should be extended to cover ADHD.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the time taken for Mental Health Act assessments by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust on patient safety and public safety; and what steps her Department is taking to reduce waiting times for urgent Mental Health Act assessments in North Yorkshire conducted by that trust.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England data shows that, in August 2026, the median waiting time between referral and second contact for adults and older adults with serious mental illness accessing community mental health services was 29 days for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, compared with 38 days for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and 36 days for England. This is based on a three-month rolling reporting period.
For referrals where adults and older adults with serious mental illness were still waiting for a second contact at the end of the reporting period, the median waiting time was 47 days for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, compared with 84 days for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB and 68 days for England.
On the wider issues raised, the Hon. Member will be aware that the Independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, led by Professor Peter Fonagy, was published on 9 October, providing analysis and recommendations across a wide range of issues relating to the current provision of services in this area, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism assessments, and specialist psychiatric support for people with complex mental health needs.
The Government issued an initial response to Professor Fonagy’s report on the day of publication, including action to strengthen the oversight and regulation of ADHD and autism assessments, but we will set out the full action we are taking in response to the review recommendations in our new Mental Health Strategy to be published later this year. The response is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-pledges-earlier-support-to-tackle-mental-health-crises
The Government also remains fully committed to developing and publishing a revised cross-Government autism strategy in line with the Autism Act 2009. We will engage on the development of the revised autism strategy, including on whether the scope of the autism strategy should be extended to cover ADHD.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
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 is for a patient to access Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust's community mental health services in North Yorkshire; and what steps she is taking with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board to reduce waiting times for mental health assessments and treatment.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England data shows that, in August 2026, the median waiting time between referral and second contact for adults and older adults with serious mental illness accessing community mental health services was 29 days for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, compared with 38 days for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and 36 days for England. This is based on a three-month rolling reporting period.
For referrals where adults and older adults with serious mental illness were still waiting for a second contact at the end of the reporting period, the median waiting time was 47 days for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, compared with 84 days for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB and 68 days for England.
On the wider issues raised, the Hon. Member will be aware that the Independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, led by Professor Peter Fonagy, was published on 9 October, providing analysis and recommendations across a wide range of issues relating to the current provision of services in this area, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism assessments, and specialist psychiatric support for people with complex mental health needs.
The Government issued an initial response to Professor Fonagy’s report on the day of publication, including action to strengthen the oversight and regulation of ADHD and autism assessments, but we will set out the full action we are taking in response to the review recommendations in our new Mental Health Strategy to be published later this year. The response is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-pledges-earlier-support-to-tackle-mental-health-crises
The Government also remains fully committed to developing and publishing a revised cross-Government autism strategy in line with the Autism Act 2009. We will engage on the development of the revised autism strategy, including on whether the scope of the autism strategy should be extended to cover ADHD.
Asked by: Jonathan Hinder (Labour - Pendle and Clitheroe)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will provide the House with monthly updates on the progress of the PATHWAYS puberty blocker trial.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.