Community Mental Health Services

Health and Social Care Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 17 Dec 2024 Parliament page
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, … Read more
30 Recommendations
2 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
3 Letters
5 Events
Activity timeline 11 events
19 Mar
2026
Report published
19 Mar
2026
Correspondence
19 Mar
2026
Correspondence
11 Mar
2026
Report published
2 Dec
2025
Report published
12 Nov
2025
Correspondence
10 Sep
2025
Oral evidence
21 May
2025
Oral evidence
23 Apr
2025
Oral evidence
12 Mar
2025
Oral evidence
12 Feb
2025
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
10 Sep 2025
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Oral Evidence
Caroline Allnutt · Department of Health and Social Care Gareth Harry · NHS England The Baroness Merron · Department of Health and Social Care
21 May 2025
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Oral Evidence
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
23 Apr 2025
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Oral Evidence
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
12 Mar 2025
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Oral Evidence
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
12 Feb 2025
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Oral Evidence
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
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report - Community Mental Health Services HC 566 2 Dec 2025 32 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
Clear
15 Conclusion Acknowledged
4th Report - Community Mental Heal…
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 of Community Mental Health Services.
Department of Health and Social Care
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29 Recommendation Acknowledged
4th Report - Community Mental Heal…
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; … Read more
Government Response
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.
Department of Health and Social Care
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30 Recommendation Acknowledged
4th Report - Community Mental Heal…
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 how it will ensure specific alignment, integration, or inclusion of all partners.
Department of Health and Social Care
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Government Response AI assessment · 32 of 30 classified
Accepted 4
Accepted in Part 11
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 2
Not Addressed 11
Rejected 1
Total 30 recs + 2 conclusions
Correspondence 3 letters
19 Mar 2026 Correspondence from DHSC - Mental Health Expected Spend
Parliament page
19 Mar 2026 Correspondence from DHSC SofS - Mental Health Expected Spend
Parliament page
12 Nov 2025 Correspondence from Baroness Merron re Follow up on 10 September session
Parliament page