Recommendations & Conclusions
32 items
1
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Accepted
Timely access to mental health care is not just a matter of convenience— it is a matter of safety, dignity, and equity. Delays in care can lead to preventable crises, greater distress, poorer outcomes, and higher costs to the system. The severity gap, where people fall between high and low …
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Timely access to mental health care is not just a matter of convenience— it is a matter of safety, dignity, and equity. Delays in care can lead to preventable crises, greater distress, poorer outcomes, and higher costs to the system. The severity gap, where people fall between high and low intensity services, reflects an unacceptable failing of the system to support people with SMI. High-quality care must be available when it is needed, not only when a person reaches crisis point. (Conclusion, Paragraph 29)
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts, committing to embedding the voice of people with lived experience in person-centred care delivery. They highlight community-based mental health centres as an example where experts by experience co-produce models to ensure high-quality, timely care, not just at crisis points.
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Department of Health and Social Care
2
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Rejected
Continuity of care is a necessity for people with severe mental illness. It is essential to the delivery of high-quality care. When it is present, it prevents crisis, builds trust, and supports recovery. When it is absent, it fragments support, burdens families, and puts lives at risk. This continuity must …
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Continuity of care is a necessity for people with severe mental illness. It is essential to the delivery of high-quality care. When it is present, it prevents crisis, builds trust, and supports recovery. When it is absent, it fragments support, burdens families, and puts lives at risk. This continuity must be built into the design of mental health services, not left to chance. At the moment it is too easy for people to fall out of care, in some cases being discharged when there is a need for ongoing support. The approach to providing continuity of care must reflect the enduring nature of SMIs and the impact this has on people’s lives. (Conclusion, Paragraph 39)
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Government response AI summary
The government rejected the recommendation for specific actions to ensure continuity of care, stating they are already implementing the community mental health framework through early implementor sites and monitoring service performance, with further assessment planned for the MSF on SMI.
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Department of Health and Social Care
3
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Accepted in Part
Service users, their families, carers and loved ones have been clear: high- quality care must be person-centred, responsive to the full range of needs individuals experience, and ensure involvement of their wider networks. Current services too often fall short—focusing narrowly on diagnosis, overlooking physical health, and failing to support people …
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Service users, their families, carers and loved ones have been clear: high- quality care must be person-centred, responsive to the full range of needs individuals experience, and ensure involvement of their wider networks. Current services too often fall short—focusing narrowly on diagnosis, overlooking physical health, and failing to support people with housing, employment, and social connection. People are more than a diagnosis and the support they are given must reflect this through integrated approaches that take account of the whole person, the enduring nature of severe mental illness, and recognise the vital role played by families and carers. (Conclusion, Paragraph 49)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, launching 6 national pilots of community-based mental health centres with £473 million capital funding. These pilots aim to provide integrated, person-centred care, with an evaluation due in 2026 to inform future models.
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Department of Health and Social Care
4
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Accepted in Part
Experiences of stigma, discrimination, and lack of culturally appropriate or personalised support were frequently reported, particularly by racialised communities, neurodivergent individuals, and those with disabilities. 74 Where care was described as high-quality, it was inclusive, responsive, and tailored to individual needs. Equity must be integral to the delivery of high- …
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Experiences of stigma, discrimination, and lack of culturally appropriate or personalised support were frequently reported, particularly by racialised communities, neurodivergent individuals, and those with disabilities. 74 Where care was described as high-quality, it was inclusive, responsive, and tailored to individual needs. Equity must be integral to the delivery of high- quality community mental health services. (Conclusion, Paragraph 55)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, stating that future expansion of community mental health centres will be informed by pilot learning and tailored to local needs. However, there are no current plans to extend the pilot phase beyond 12 months, pending an independent evaluation.
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Department of Health and Social Care
5
Conclusion
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Not Addressed
Services shaped and delivered with, and by, people with lived experience of mental illness are more trusted, accessible, and effective. Meaningful co-production—where power is shared and lived experience is valued—is essential to high-quality care. Peer support, in particular, is a vital part of recovery both for service users and peer …
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Services shaped and delivered with, and by, people with lived experience of mental illness are more trusted, accessible, and effective. Meaningful co-production—where power is shared and lived experience is valued—is essential to high-quality care. Peer support, in particular, is a vital part of recovery both for service users and peer support workers, offering connection, understanding, and dignity in ways that clinical services often cannot. (Conclusion, Paragraph 59)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation but then discusses a plan for scaling up community-based mental health centres following evaluation of pilots, which is unrelated to the committee's conclusion on the value of co-production and peer support.
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Department of Health and Social Care
6
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Deferred
Our conclusions in this Chapter try to reflect what service users told us they wanted. This must be reflected in service design. As new models of care are commissioned and implemented, these must be co-designed with experts by experience to ensure services deliver the high quality care such users need …
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Our conclusions in this Chapter try to reflect what service users told us they wanted. This must be reflected in service design. As new models of care are commissioned and implemented, these must be co-designed with experts by experience to ensure services deliver the high quality care such users need and deserve. (Recommendation, Paragraph 60) Recent reforms to Community Mental Health Services
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation but defers concrete action, stating that development of the Mental Service Specification for SMI is underway. Timelines will be confirmed in due course, incorporating findings from a review and community mental health centre evaluation due in summer 2026.
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Department of Health and Social Care
7
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Accepted in Part
We believe the Community Mental Health Framework sets out the right vision for Community Mental Health Services. However, evidence submitted to this inquiry reveals significant gaps between its ambitions and its implementation across England. We want to see a renewed commitment by the Government to realise the Framework’s ambitions. As …
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We believe the Community Mental Health Framework sets out the right vision for Community Mental Health Services. However, evidence submitted to this inquiry reveals significant gaps between its ambitions and its implementation across England. We want to see a renewed commitment by the Government to realise the Framework’s ambitions. As the Government seeks to further transform services, it must avoid repeating past mistakes and ensure lessons from previous reforms are fully learned. We believe that refusing to evaluate progress in the round is at best complacent and at worst irresponsible. (Conclusion, Paragraph 73)
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to develop the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for SMI through genuine co-production with lived experience experts and engaging relevant sectors. However, it shifts focus from the Community Mental Health Framework's implementation gaps and the need for evaluation, to the …
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Department of Health and Social Care
8
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Not Addressed
We recommend that the Government changes its current approach and commission an independent and comprehensive evaluation of how the Community Mental Health Framework has been implemented and its impact by the end of the financial year. This should not be seen as drawing a line under the Framework, but as …
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We recommend that the Government changes its current approach and commission an independent and comprehensive evaluation of how the Community Mental Health Framework has been implemented and its impact by the end of the financial year. This should not be seen as drawing a line under the Framework, but as a necessary step in ensuring that the Government and NHS England deliver on its commitment of integrated, personalised, and coordinated care. Without such evaluation, there is a risk that gaps in implementation will persist and that future transformation efforts will lack the insight and learnings needed to succeed in all areas of the country. (Recommendation, Paragraph 74)
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Government response AI summary
The government states it accepts the recommendation, but its response describes NHS England publishing new guidance on a 'personalised care framework' and the role of a 'named worker' within multidisciplinary teams. It does not address the specific recommendation to commission an independent and comprehensive evaluation …
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Department of Health and Social Care
9
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Accepted in Part
Delivering real change and achieving parity of esteem in mental health care requires dismantling the current fragmented system and reimagining service design and delivery. The 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre 75 pilots seem to be genuinely transformative. The experience from Trieste, and early evidence from Barnsley Street, show that radically …
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Delivering real change and achieving parity of esteem in mental health care requires dismantling the current fragmented system and reimagining service design and delivery. The 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre 75 pilots seem to be genuinely transformative. The experience from Trieste, and early evidence from Barnsley Street, show that radically different, individualised, community-based care gets results. We also heard that the model shows possible cost savings for the wider system. Realising large- scale reform will depend on sustained and ringfenced investment to enable stretched Integrated Care Boards to take the action needed. This must be matched by a profound cultural shift across the system from clinicians to commissioners to government. (Conclusion, Paragraph 91)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, focusing its response on improving the transition from children and young people’s mental health services to adult services for 0-25 year olds. It commits to strengthening continuity of care and eliminating rigid age-based thresholds with a new developmental service specification, but …
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Department of Health and Social Care
10
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Not Addressed
We believe there should be a 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre in every community. (Recommendation, Paragraph 92)
Government response AI summary
The government states it partially accepts, but its response discusses improving access and waiting time standards for mental health services generally, and eliminating long waits for children and young people's community services by 2026-27. It does not address the specific recommendation for a 24/7 Neighbourhood …
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Department of Health and Social Care
11
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Not Addressed
The design of these centres must be informed by the learnings from the pilot programme so they can be tailored to the needs of their communities. In order for the learnings to be robust, the 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre pilot programme must be extended by at least 12 months …
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The design of these centres must be informed by the learnings from the pilot programme so they can be tailored to the needs of their communities. In order for the learnings to be robust, the 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre pilot programme must be extended by at least 12 months beyond April 2026, with additional service development funding to allow all sites to become fully operational and generate sufficient data for analysis. This will require NHS England to finalise the outcome measures and evaluation metrics for the pilots without further delay. (Recommendation, Paragraph 93)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation but then responds by discussing physical health outcomes for people with SMI and annual physical health checks, completely failing to address the call for extending the 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre pilot programme or finalising its evaluation metrics.
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Department of Health and Social Care
12
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Not Addressed
The Government should develop and publish a clear roadmap for the national scale-up of the pilot programme. In its response to this report, we expect the Government to state how the roadmap will be developed and the timeframe for publication. (Recommendation, Paragraph 94)
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The Government should develop and publish a clear roadmap for the national scale-up of the pilot programme. In its response to this report, we expect the Government to state how the roadmap will be developed and the timeframe for publication. (Recommendation, Paragraph 94)
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation but then details its commitment to reforming the Better Care Fund, including changes for the 2026-27 financial year, without addressing the specific request for a roadmap and timeframe for the national scale-up of the pilot programme.
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Department of Health and Social Care
13
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Not Addressed
We welcome the commitment in the 10 Year Health Plan to develop a Modern Service Framework (MSF) for mental health, with a focus on the needs of people with severe and enduring mental illness in particular. However, without a clear timeline for publication, this work risks slipping down the political …
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We welcome the commitment in the 10 Year Health Plan to develop a Modern Service Framework (MSF) for mental health, with a focus on the needs of people with severe and enduring mental illness in particular. However, without a clear timeline for publication, this work risks slipping down the political agenda. To ensure progress and accountability, the Government should set a deadline, in its response to this report, for when in 2026 the MSF for mental health will be published. (Recommendation, Paragraph 98)
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Government response AI summary
The government explicitly states it does not accept the recommendation. However, its reasoning discusses the voluntary nature and governance of Section 75 arrangements, which is entirely unrelated to the committee's request for a deadline for the Modern Service Framework's publication.
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Department of Health and Social Care
14
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Not Addressed
We would also like the Government to set out how people with lived experience will be involved in its development and how the MSF will be integrated with wider systems of support including those provided by the VCFSE sector and local authorities. It is essential that the MSF takes full …
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We would also like the Government to set out how people with lived experience will be involved in its development and how the MSF will be integrated with wider systems of support including those provided by the VCFSE sector and local authorities. It is essential that the MSF takes full account of the learnings and insights from the 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre pilots. (Recommendation, Paragraph 99) 76 Creating the foundations for high-quality community-based care
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Government response AI summary
The government states it accepts the recommendation, but its response focuses on supporting Integrated Care Boards with multi-year commissioning arrangements and a strategic commissioning development programme in 2026-27 to strengthen partnerships with VCFSE organisations. It does not address how people with lived experience will be …
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Department of Health and Social Care
15
Conclusion
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Acknowledged
Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) are integral to supporting people with severe mental illness across health, social care, and with their wider social needs. Evidence to this inquiry shows that integrated models of support within multi-disciplinary teams—such as co-located teams and Individual Placement and Support—can improve outcomes and reduce system …
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Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) are integral to supporting people with severe mental illness across health, social care, and with their wider social needs. Evidence to this inquiry shows that integrated models of support within multi-disciplinary teams—such as co-located teams and Individual Placement and Support—can improve outcomes and reduce system pressures. However, fragmentation across services persists. Without sustained investment and joined-up delivery, CMHS will not enable the ambitions of the Government’s ‘Health’ and ‘Growth’ missions. (Conclusion, Paragraph 107)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation, acknowledging the value of alliance models and promoting the inclusion of VCFSE organisations in integrated care systems to strengthen collaboration and co-production. It does not, however, commit to specific actions regarding sustained investment or directly addressing the broader fragmentation …
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Department of Health and Social Care
16
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Deferred
In some areas, the emphasis on care coordination may have been lost through the rollout of the CMHF. We recommend that NHS England publish clear guidance on the role of key workers to ensure all service users have access to a named individual responsible for coordinating their care. (Recommendation, Paragraph …
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In some areas, the emphasis on care coordination may have been lost through the rollout of the CMHF. We recommend that NHS England publish clear guidance on the role of key workers to ensure all service users have access to a named individual responsible for coordinating their care. (Recommendation, Paragraph 110)
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation and states that NHS England is working with pilot sites, and insights from these pilots will be collated to inform future guidance on neighbourhood-based models of care.
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Department of Health and Social Care
17
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Accepted in Part
Despite nearly a decade of commitments, the transition from Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS)—including Community Mental Health Services (CMHS)— remains a cliff edge and continues to fall short of what young people need. The Government, NHS England, and Integrated Care Boards …
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Despite nearly a decade of commitments, the transition from Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS)—including Community Mental Health Services (CMHS)— remains a cliff edge and continues to fall short of what young people need. The Government, NHS England, and Integrated Care Boards must treat this issue as a national priority. We recommend that they create a clear, actionable plan as part of the formal response to the report, to deliver the promised “comprehensive offer for 0–25 year olds.” (Recommendation, Paragraph 114)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, committing service development funding for 2026-2029 to support growth in specific services like IPS, NHS Talking Therapies, and MHSTs. It requires ICBs to meet the Mental Health Investment Standard but does not provide a clear, actionable plan for a comprehensive 0-25 …
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Department of Health and Social Care
18
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Accepted in Part
We heard that one way to track progress on integration would be through the establishment of national access and waiting time standards. The absence of national standards contributes to inconsistent access and undermines parity with physical health. NHS England should publish and implement these standards as a matter of urgency. …
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We heard that one way to track progress on integration would be through the establishment of national access and waiting time standards. The absence of national standards contributes to inconsistent access and undermines parity with physical health. NHS England should publish and implement these standards as a matter of urgency. (Recommendation, Paragraph 120)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, committing to requiring ICBs to meet the Mental Health Investment Standard and publishing a new Mental Service Specification for SMI to ensure clinical consistency. However, they will not make further legislative changes regarding mental health spending and do not commit to …
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Department of Health and Social Care
19
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Not Addressed
NHS England should reinstate the annual physical health check target for people with severe mental illness (SMI) in operational planning guidance. This target has driven significant progress and remains essential for accountability, monitoring co-morbidities, and reducing preventable deaths. Building on this, the Modern Service Framework must include physical health outcomes …
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NHS England should reinstate the annual physical health check target for people with severe mental illness (SMI) in operational planning guidance. This target has driven significant progress and remains essential for accountability, monitoring co-morbidities, and reducing preventable deaths. Building on this, the Modern Service Framework must include physical health outcomes and interventions for people with SMI as a core component. This should cover annual checks, tailored follow-up care, and mechanisms for monitoring and improvement. (Recommendation, Paragraph 133) 77
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation but then responds by discussing staff retention, workforce pressures, and the 10 Year Workforce Plan, which are unrelated to the recommendation to reinstate physical health check targets for people with SMI or include physical health outcomes in the Modern …
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Department of Health and Social Care
20
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Not Addressed
Six months on from our Adult Social Care: The Cost of Inaction report, we are frustrated the Government is yet to review the structure and level of NHS investment in the Better Care Fund (BCF). Whilst we welcome a commitment to reform the BCF in the coming 2026–27 financial year, …
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Six months on from our Adult Social Care: The Cost of Inaction report, we are frustrated the Government is yet to review the structure and level of NHS investment in the Better Care Fund (BCF). Whilst we welcome a commitment to reform the BCF in the coming 2026–27 financial year, we believe this must become a priority if the Government is to ensure it is fully capable of meeting its renewed focus on prevention and provision in the community. This should also address the misalignment of funding cycles between the NHS and local authorities. We urge the Government to do so before another six months passes, and we expect a timeline for reform in response to this report. (Recommendation, Paragraph 138)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation but then responds by outlining its commitment to publishing a 10 Year Workforce Plan, which is completely irrelevant to the committee's call for reviewing and reforming the Better Care Fund and its funding cycles.
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Department of Health and Social Care
21
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Not Addressed
The Government should expand the use of Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 by enabling and encouraging more widespread pooling of budgets between NHS bodies and local authorities. This expansion should support the inclusion of a broader range of services—such as housing and education— within Section 75 arrangements to …
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The Government should expand the use of Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 by enabling and encouraging more widespread pooling of budgets between NHS bodies and local authorities. This expansion should support the inclusion of a broader range of services—such as housing and education— within Section 75 arrangements to facilitate integrated commissioning and service delivery. Clearer governance and greater cross-cutting oversight of these arrangements would allow funding to follow need rather than organisational boundaries, enabling more person-centred, coordinated support for people with SMI. (Recommendation, Paragraph 143)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation but then responds by discussing the vital role of mental health social workers and how the 10 Year Workforce Plan and upcoming MSF will address workforce planning and clinical standards, completely ignoring the recommendation to expand Section 75 arrangements …
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Department of Health and Social Care
22
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Not Addressed
VCFSE organisations make a vital contribution to integrated, person-centred care for people with severe mental illness, yet they are not consistently treated as equal third partners by commissioners and providers. This must change. Genuine partnership requires co-production from the outset and equitable access to funding, including for smaller and peer-led …
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VCFSE organisations make a vital contribution to integrated, person-centred care for people with severe mental illness, yet they are not consistently treated as equal third partners by commissioners and providers. This must change. Genuine partnership requires co-production from the outset and equitable access to funding, including for smaller and peer-led organisations trusted by communities underserved by statutory services. (Conclusion, Paragraph 149)
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Government response AI summary
The government states it accepts the recommendation but then discusses general accountability, new operating models, and patient feedback mechanisms for mental health services, without addressing the specific call for VCFSE organisations to be treated as equal partners with equitable funding and co-production from the outset.
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Department of Health and Social Care
23
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Accepted
The Department and NHE England should support ICBs to move away from short-term commissioning cycles to multi-year contracts for VCFSE organisations supporting the delivery of CMHS. The publication of the Strategic Commissioning Framework presents an opportunity to enable the bold action needed by ICBs to harness the value and potential …
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The Department and NHE England should support ICBs to move away from short-term commissioning cycles to multi-year contracts for VCFSE organisations supporting the delivery of CMHS. The publication of the Strategic Commissioning Framework presents an opportunity to enable the bold action needed by ICBs to harness the value and potential of community assets and transform how service are delivered—but this must be matched by practical support and accountability to ensure the ambition is realised amid ongoing system pressures. (Recommendation, Paragraph 154)
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation, acknowledging the importance of multi-year contracts for VCFSE organisations and noting the NHS medium-term planning framework facilitates this. A strategic commissioning development programme will provide practical support to ICBs during 2026-2027 to strengthen commissioning skills.
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Department of Health and Social Care
24
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Accepted in Part
NHS England and Integrated Care Boards should prioritise the development of alliance models that embed voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations in the design and delivery of community mental health services. This should include clear expectations for co- production from the outset and mechanisms to ensure smaller and …
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NHS England and Integrated Care Boards should prioritise the development of alliance models that embed voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations in the design and delivery of community mental health services. This should include clear expectations for co- production from the outset and mechanisms to ensure smaller and peer- led organisations are actively included in decision-making and funding arrangements. (Recommendation, Paragraph 158) 78
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation, acknowledging the value of alliance models and stating NHS England is promoting partnership working for VCFSE inclusion. Future guidance will continue to emphasize co-production and the role of community assets in delivering mental health services.
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Department of Health and Social Care
25
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Accepted
In order for the neighbourhood pilots to realise the potential of the innovative model of care they are trialling, the Government should support the pilot sites to address challenges with digital interoperability, for example through sharing of learning and best practise. These learnings should then be collated to support future …
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In order for the neighbourhood pilots to realise the potential of the innovative model of care they are trialling, the Government should support the pilot sites to address challenges with digital interoperability, for example through sharing of learning and best practise. These learnings should then be collated to support future systems to implement the model, in the event of future scaling-up. (Recommendation, Paragraph 169)
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating NHS England is working with pilot sites to identify digital interoperability barriers and share learning. Insights from these pilots will be collated to inform future guidance and support the implementation of neighbourhood-based models of care if scaled up.
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Department of Health and Social Care
26
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Accepted in Part
We echo Lord Darzi’s assessment that there is a fundamental problem in the distribution of resources between mental and physical health. While we recognise the welcome increase in real-terms mental health spend this year, we were disappointed to see the overall share go down. We hope this is a one-off …
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We echo Lord Darzi’s assessment that there is a fundamental problem in the distribution of resources between mental and physical health. While we recognise the welcome increase in real-terms mental health spend this year, we were disappointed to see the overall share go down. We hope this is a one-off and we would ask for a clear commitment from government towards parity of esteem between mental and physical health. (Conclusion, Paragraph 175)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, committing to require ICBs to protect mental health spending in real terms for financial years 2026-2029 via the Mental Health Investment Standard. However, it declines to make further legislative changes regarding mental health spending at this time, citing existing provisions for …
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Department of Health and Social Care
27
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Accepted in Part
While integrating Service Development Funding into core funding may offer flexibility, we believe it also introduces uncertainty around continued prioritisation and investment in these services, and could have a detrimental impact upon the progress of the transformation of services. We urge the Government and NHS England to monitor this impact, …
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While integrating Service Development Funding into core funding may offer flexibility, we believe it also introduces uncertainty around continued prioritisation and investment in these services, and could have a detrimental impact upon the progress of the transformation of services. We urge the Government and NHS England to monitor this impact, and would like a formal update on this in their response to this report. (Recommendation, Paragraph 178)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation, stating NHS England already monitors relevant impacts through published data and ICBs meet the Mental Health Investment Standard. Additionally, service development funding has been secured for 2026-2029 to support growth in key mental health services.
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Department of Health and Social Care
28
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Accepted in Part
We recommend the Mental Health Investment Standard be retained beyond 2025–26. The Government should commit to the Standard by the end of this calendar year to give systems greater certainty. Then, the Government should legislate to make the Standard a statutory requirement, clearly defining its scope, measures for evaluation and …
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We recommend the Mental Health Investment Standard be retained beyond 2025–26. The Government should commit to the Standard by the end of this calendar year to give systems greater certainty. Then, the Government should legislate to make the Standard a statutory requirement, clearly defining its scope, measures for evaluation and accountability for systems in meeting it. (Recommendation, Paragraph 185)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation, committing to retain the Mental Health Investment Standard by requiring ICBs to protect mental health spending in real terms for financial years 2026-2029. However, it explicitly states it will not legislate to make the Standard a statutory requirement at …
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Department of Health and Social Care
29
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Acknowledged
Staff retention is important for continuity of care for people with SMI. As part of the forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan, the Government should set out specific measures to reduce burnout, including action on caseload management and access to supervision; improve pay and progression opportunities for CMHS staff, including those …
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Staff retention is important for continuity of care for people with SMI. As part of the forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan, the Government should set out specific measures to reduce burnout, including action on caseload management and access to supervision; improve pay and progression opportunities for CMHS staff, including those in the VCFSE sector delivering equivalent roles; and ensure comprehensive training and continued professional development is available. (Recommendation, Paragraph 194)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts this recommendation, acknowledging challenges like burnout and limited progression and stating the forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will address these issues by improving staff treatment, training, and roles. However, it does not set out specific measures as requested.
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Department of Health and Social Care
30
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Acknowledged
It is vital that the Government ensures the 10 Year Workforce Plan delivers for Community Mental Health Services. Workforce growth must be aligned with service transformation to ensure that new roles are sustainable and integrated across settings. This must take account of all of the partners involved in the delivery …
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It is vital that the Government ensures the 10 Year Workforce Plan delivers for Community Mental Health Services. Workforce growth must be aligned with service transformation to ensure that new roles are sustainable and integrated across settings. This must take account of all of the partners involved in the delivery of CMHS, ensuring alignment of workforce planning across the NHS with local authorities and the VCFSE sector, to support integrated service delivery and reduce fragmentation. (Recommendation, Paragraph 195) 79
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, stating it is committed to publishing a 10 Year Workforce Plan to ensure the NHS has the right people and skills for transformed services. The plan will address workforce sustainability and articulate changes for different professional groups but does not detail …
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Department of Health and Social Care
31
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Accepted in Part
Social workers make an essential contribution to tackling the broader determinants of health and mental health outcomes, yet we heard they are often deprioritised when budgetary pressures arise. The Government should recognise the important role of mental health social workers by including them in the upcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan. …
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Social workers make an essential contribution to tackling the broader determinants of health and mental health outcomes, yet we heard they are often deprioritised when budgetary pressures arise. The Government should recognise the important role of mental health social workers by including them in the upcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan. This should include projections for increases to the workforce to ensure that every person with an SMI has a named mental health social worker. (Recommendation, Paragraph 200)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, acknowledging the vital role of mental health social workers and stating they will be recognised in the 10 Year Workforce Plan. However, it does not commit to specific projections for workforce increases or ensuring every person with SMI has a named …
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Department of Health and Social Care
32
Recommendation
4th Report - Community Mental Health Se…
Accepted
The sector has called for a Mental Health Commissioner to address concerns about a lack of accountability across the mental health system. The Government has said it does not want to take this approach. We ask it to set out proposals to strengthen accountability, including for implementing the Patient and …
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The sector has called for a Mental Health Commissioner to address concerns about a lack of accountability across the mental health system. The Government has said it does not want to take this approach. We ask it to set out proposals to strengthen accountability, including for implementing the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework in full. (Recommendation, Paragraph 206) 80
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation, outlining that its new approach to mental health will strengthen accountability with clearer standards and transparency. It confirms the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework is now a contractual requirement, with NHS England supporting its full implementation, and promises further …
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Department of Health and Social Care