Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Accepted
A clear definition of ‘parity of esteem’ for mental health services remains absent after 12 years.
Recommendation
In our 2018 report on mental health services for children and young people, we noted that the Department had not clarified what ‘parity of esteem’ meant in practice. We recommended that the Department clearly defined the criteria it would use to measure progress and what data/information it required.45 Many stakeholders who contributed to this inquiry told us that setting out a clear definition of ‘parity of esteem’, objectives and roadmap to achieve them is important to understand progress and ensure delivery. However, there is still no clear definition of the end goal of ‘parity of esteem’, 12 years after the government first set out its ambitions.46
Government Response Summary
The government accepted the recommendation, stating that DHSC is working with NHS England to produce a definition of 'parity of esteem' and will provide an update on progress by January 2024.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation Target implementation date: January 2024 4.2 DHSC is working with NHS England to produce a definition of parity of esteem, incorporating feedback from key stakeholders and lived experience advisors. DHSC will provide an update on progress in January 2024 as part of its joint letter with NHS England to the Committee.