Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to help ensure that health professionals are able to refer patients directly to a mental health unit.

The intensive support provided by an inpatient admission is an important part of the mental health pathway. However, a decision to admit a patient needs to be made by mental health professionals who can assess the needs and preferences of an individual alongside their knowledge of which local provision, either within community or within hospital, will best meet them.

Substantial progress has been achieved in building more robust crisis care pathways across all ages, and more people are accessing community mental health services than ever before. We are committed to building on this, so that people can access timely, high-quality community support, closer to home. This also aligns with our commitment in the 10-Year Health Plan to shift more care into the community.

NHS England is currently piloting new models of neighbourhood mental health care through six neighbourhood mental health centres. These are designed to enhance continuity of care by providing accessible, round-the-clock mental health support in local communities.

Access to inpatient services will remain available for those who require more intensive support. When a health professional thinks that an individual needs urgent admission as they are posing a risk to themselves or others, they can refer them for an assessment under the Mental Health Act.