Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Triangle of Care for people suffering with mental health conditions.

The Department has made no formal assessment of the Triangle of Care for people suffering with mental health conditions.

The Triangle of Care, published by the Carers Trust in 2013, aims at achieving better collaboration and partnership with carers in the service user’s and carer’s journey through mental health services. The Government has engaged with Carers Trust, during the development of their Carers Action Plan 2018-2020: supporting carers today. A copy of the Action Plan, published in June 2018, is attached. The plan sets out a two-year programme of targeted work to support unpaid carers. It puts a focus on practical actions and gives visibility to the work already underway or planned within Government.

The Action Plan is consistent with some of the principles set out in the Triangle of Care. It has a number of actions that seek to improve the awareness and identification of carers among healthcare professionals and social workers to improve access to appropriate information and support for carers. It is also intended to ensure that they feel listened to and that their views are appropriately taken into account when the person they care for is in health and care settings.

The independent review of the Mental Health Act 1983 will consider further how to improve dignity and respect for service users and carers. It is also considering mechanisms through which carers, families and friends of people who are detained under the Act can be supported to be involved in the care of the person they support. The independent review is due to publish its final report later this year.