Mental Health Bill [ Lords ] (Ninth sitting)

Debate between Danny Chambers and Neil Shastri-Hurst

Committee stage
Tuesday 24th June 2025 Public Bill Committees

[Dr Chambers]

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

The new clause would require the number of patients transferred to hospitals outside their area to be reduced to zero within five years, and the Secretary of State would have to produce a report on how this would be achieved. We should not underestimate the harm and distress caused to patients and their families when they are allocated an out-of-area mental health placement. At the end of March 2024, there were 900 active out-of-area placements in England, of which 89% were deemed inappropriate.

Patients must be treated in a centre close to their home and family, and that can be achieved by increasing capacity and co-ordination between services. The new clause calls on the Secretary of State to publish guidance within six months of the Bill’s passage, setting out what processes and funding will be available for that purpose. Vulnerable people deserve to be treated near to their families and home, and the new clause would ensure that happens.

[Dr Shastri-Hurst]

The new clause is underpinned by noble intentions, but does the hon. Gentleman believe that patients would be better served if such a process were in guidelines rather than in the Bill? That would ensure that it is deliverable.

[Dr Chambers]

I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s comments. That is a sensible and insightful point, and I will take on board the Minister’s response too.