Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of care available for people with paranoid schizophrenia.

NHS England has made significant progress in expanding community-based services for people with severe mental illness, including paranoid schizophrenia.

In the last 12 months more than 400,000 adults have received help through new models, which aim to give people with serious mental illness better care.

NHS England is also piloting new models of care in the community for those with the most serious illnesses. New mental health centres open in six neighbourhood areas from this spring and will provide people and their families with 24/7 support if they are in crisis without needing to book an appointment, as well as providing housing or employment advice to support them to stay well.

Furthermore, the Mental Health Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, will deliver the Government’s commitment to modernise the Mental Health Act 1983.

Finally, in response to the Care Quality Commission’s review of the care and treatment provided to Valdo Calocane and of services provided by the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, NHS England set out clear, evidence-based national guidance, so providers are clear on the standards of care expected for patients who may be at risk of disengaging from services.