Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Accepted in Part
Stigma and discrimination undermine equitable and culturally appropriate mental health services
Recommendation
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)
Government response summary AI-generated
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.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted in Part
The government accepts this recommendation. Embedding the voice of people with lived experience is fundamental to delivering person-centred mental health care. We are committed to ensuring that NHS services reflect what matters most to those who use them, and that NHS mental health services deliver the care that people need. The community based mental health centres are an example of this recommendation in action. Experts by experience have been involved in the pilot process from the start, co-producing the key principles of the model, designing and participating in the selection process and the independent evaluation. Genuine co-production with people and families is one of the 10 principles informing the model. Each centre demonstrates genuine co-production by making sure that people with lived experience, families and carers are equal partners in the design, governance and day to day operation. The model and service offer are shaped by what local people and families say they need most. Community based mental health centres put co-production into practice, creating services that are grounded in the realities of people’s lives. More broadly, NHS England is providing guidance and practical tools to help systems involve people who use services and their families meaningfully and inclusively. This includes culturally competent engagement, accessible formats for underrepresented groups, and digital tools such as the NHS App, enabling people to participate actively in care planning and provide feedback. Embedding the patient and carer race equality framework (PCREF) within this process is essential. PCREF’s participatory approach, co-produced with communities most affected by racial inequalities, ensures that service design actively addresses disparities in access, experience, and outcomes. By integrating PCREF principles into commissioning and delivery, providers can create culturally competent, equitable services that reflect the voices and needs of diverse populations.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗