Care Quality Commission: Mental Health Care Waiting Times

Baroness Gohir Excerpts

Thursday 8th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

It is particularly appropriate that the noble Baroness raises this issue, as it is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week. Yesterday I was very glad to attend an event organised by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, where I spoke to women about their experience and what has made—or not made—a difference to them. I know we are looking forward to a debate on this later in the year, but 41 maternal mental health services have already been set up to provide care for women with moderate, severe or complex mental health difficulties, and more than 62,000 women are reported to have accessed a specialist community perinatal mental health service or a maternal mental health service. Additionally, 165 beds have now been commissioned across England in 20 mother and baby units, providing in-patient care to women. But yes, we need to do more.

[Baroness Gohir (CB)]

My Lords, in some NHS trusts, autistic patients with learning needs and poor mental health are automatically opted into video and phone appointments, despite their communication needs. It feels as if the needs of the NHS and doctors working from home are prioritised over patient care. I know this from experience, because my son was repeatedly given video and phone appointments, even though I kept saying I wanted him to be seen in person. What can the Government do to ensure that there is a uniform approach across trusts, that patient care is prioritised and that guidelines are adhered to?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I thank the noble Baroness for raising her experience with her family. It is clear that patients are individual people and they need to be cared for and communicated with in the way that is appropriate to them. So I am sorry to hear what she reports; that is not what we expect. If she has not already provided the details, I will be pleased to look into the matter she raises, because it has repercussions across the whole system, as she rightly says.