Select Committee · Health and Social Care Committee

Community Mental Health Services

Status: Open Opened: 17 Dec 2024 30 recommendations 2 conclusions 1 report

The Committee is undertaking an inquiry into community mental health services. The inquiry will examine what good looks like from the perspective of service users and their families/carers. The Committee would like the inquiry to shine a light on case studies of innovative practice and high-quality care across the country, and to undertake meaningful and … Show more

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report - Community Mental Health Services HC 566 2 Dec 2025 32 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
15 Conclusion 4th Report - Community Mental Health Se… Acknowledged

Community Mental Health Services fragmentation persists, requiring sustained investment for integrated support models.

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 … Read more

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
29 Recommendation 4th Report - Community Mental Health Se… Acknowledged

Set out specific measures to reduce burnout and improve pay for CMHS staff.

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 … Read more

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

Ensure 10 Year Workforce Plan aligns growth with service transformation across all CMHS partners.

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 … Read more

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

Oral evidence sessions

5 sessions
Date Witnesses
10 Sep 2025 Caroline Allnutt · Department of Health and Social Care, Gareth Harry · NHS England, The Baroness Merron · Department of Health and Social Care View ↗
21 May 2025 Darlington Kudakwashe Zvionere · Black Minds Matter UK, Janine Smith · Navigo Health and Social Care CIC, Karyn Kirkpatrick · KeyRing Living Support Networks, Michael Crilly · Social Health & Community Inclusion at Life Rooms (Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust), Mr Abdirahim Hassan · Coffee Afrik CIC, Mr Jake Mills · Chasing the Stigma, Professor Belinda Lennox · University of Oxford, Professor Stephen Pilling · University College London View ↗
23 Apr 2025 Christian Taylor, Christina Taylor, Councillor Lorraine Francis · Bristol City Council, Duncan Tree · Association of Mental Health Providers, Penny East · Think Ahead, Peter Devlin · Essex County Council, Stephen Parker · Turning Point View ↗
12 Mar 2025 Dr Emma Tiffin · Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board, Dr Lade Smith CBE · Royal College of Psychiatrists, Elizabeth Sutton, Eve Mair, Jane Yeandle · Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Rt Hon Sir Norman Lamb · South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Samantha Allen · North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, Steve Forsyth · Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust View ↗
12 Feb 2025 Chris Frederick, Dr Courtney Buckler · National Survivor User Network, Francesca, Harry Dyson · The McPin Foundation, Ian Callaghan, Lucy Schonegevel · Rethink Mental Illness, Miss Kadra Abdinasir · Centre for Mental Health View ↗

Who gave evidence

33 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Caroline Allnutt · Deputy Director for Serious Mental Illness and Of… Department of Health and Social Care 1
Chris Frederick 1
Christian Taylor 1
Christina Taylor 1
Councillor Lorraine Francis · Chair of the Adult Social Care Committee Bristol City Council 1
Darlington Kudakwashe Zvionere · Head of Clinical Services Black Minds Matter UK 1
Dr Courtney Buckler · Senior Policy and Campaigns Manager National Survivor User Network 1
Dr Emma Tiffin · National GP Advisor Community and Primary Care, A… Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board 1
Dr Lade Smith CBE · President Royal College of Psychiatrists 1
Duncan Tree · Director of Strategy and Relationships Association of Mental Health Providers 1
Elizabeth Sutton 1
Eve Mair 1
Francesca 1
Gareth Harry · Director of Delivery, Mental Health Learning Disa… NHS England 1
Harry Dyson · Peer Researcher and Public Involvement Officer The McPin Foundation 1
Ian Callaghan 1
Jane Yeandle · Service Group Director Mental Health and Learning… Somerset NHS Foundation Trust 1
Janine Smith · Chief Operating Officer Navigo Health and Social Care CIC 1
Karyn Kirkpatrick · Chief Executive Officer, Central Services KeyRing Living Support Networks 1
Lucy Schonegevel · Director of Policy and Practice Rethink Mental Illness 1
Michael Crilly · Director Social Health & Community Inclusion at Life Rooms (Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust) 1
Miss Kadra Abdinasir · Associate Director of Policy Centre for Mental Health 1
Mr Abdirahim Hassan · Founder Coffee Afrik CIC 1
Mr Jake Mills · CEO and Founder Chasing the Stigma 1
Penny East · External Relations Director Think Ahead 1
Peter Devlin · Director of Adult Social Care and Mental Health Essex County Council 1
Professor Belinda Lennox · Professor of Psychiatry University of Oxford 1
Professor Stephen Pilling · Professor of Clinical Psychology and Clinical Eff… University College London 1
Rt Hon Sir Norman Lamb · Chair South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust 1
Samantha Allen · Chief Executive North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board 1
Stephen Parker · National Head of Service for Mental Health Turning Point 1
Steve Forsyth · Chief Nursing Officer Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust 1
The Baroness Merron · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Patien… Department of Health and Social Care 1

Correspondence

3 letters
DateDirectionTitle
19 Mar 2026 Correspondence from DHSC - Mental Health Expected Spend
19 Mar 2026 Correspondence from DHSC SofS - Mental Health Expected Spend
12 Nov 2025 Correspondence from Baroness Merron re Follow up on 10 September session