Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the recommendations in the Royal College of Psychiatrists position statement on consultant psychiatrists working across specialities outside normal working hours, what guidance his Department has issued to mental health providers to ensure the adequacy of arrangements for out of hours mental health care for children and young people.

Currently, out of hours mental health care is available at accident and emergency departments, emergency general practitioner appointments, crisis resolution and home treatment services, crisis houses, and by calling NHS 111 or the Samaritans.

The 2019 NHS Planning Guidance states that “CCGs should ensure there is a crisis response that meets the needs of under 18-year olds. These should be staffed by practitioners who are trained and competent in meeting the specific mental health needs of children and young people. CCGs should work towards delivering age-appropriate 24/7 crisis provision for children and young people (CYP) which combine crisis, liaison and intensive community support functions. This should apply whether or not the model selected by the CCG is a dedicated CYPMH service for 24/7 or extended hours, or a blended model that relies on Core24 to support CYP at some point during the 24 hours.”

Setting up 24 hours a day, seven days a week crisis care provision for children, young people and their families is a key priority for the Government in the NHS Long Term Plan. All children and young people experiencing crisis will be able to access crisis care 24 hours a day, seven days a week by 2023/24 via NHS 111.