Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health
Select Committee
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 248
18 May 2023
Recommendations
4 results
9
Accepted in Part
Ringfence local suicide prevention funding and commission ONS for real-time occupational suicide surveillance
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government: a) confirm the timeline and consultation process for revising the new National Suicide Prevention Strategy b) confirm and ringfence additional funding beyond 2023/24 for local suicide prevention to allow local authorities to contribute effectively to …
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Government Response Summary
The government states the new Suicide Prevention Strategy for England 2023-2028 was published on September 11, 2023. It notes a £10 million Suicide Prevention Grant Fund but clarifies that funding beyond 2024/25 is subject to future Spending Reviews. The Office for National Statistics is already using Census 2021 data linked with other datasets to improve understanding of suicide rates in different occupations, including farmers.
12
Accepted in Part
Para 115
Require joint DEFRA/DHSC team to integrate interventions with DfT and DSIT for rural mental health access
Recommendation
The solution to providing accessible rural mental health services is unlikely to be “one thing” but more likely a package involving innovation and imagination from both patients and service providers. The new joint DEFRA/DHSC rural mental health team should consider …
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Government Response Summary
The government cited its 'Unleashing Rural Opportunities' report, ongoing work to improve rural transport and digital connectivity (Project Gigabit), and increased online options for mental health services to address accessibility challenges. The Department for Transport committed to looking for opportunities to work with Defra, DHSC, and NHS England to maximize health outcomes for rural communities through the transport system.
29
Accepted in Part
Para 185
Government must accelerate rural transport strategy and address digital infrastructure shortfall.
Recommendation
Some of the challenges of rural daily life can have a significant impact on people’s mental wellbeing. The UK Government needs to address these, including through its various funding routes for levelling-up; but without more detail we cannot evaluate the …
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Government Response Summary
The government outlined existing rural-proofing mechanisms and the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, along with increased digital access to mental health therapy. It committed to the Department for Transport soon publishing its Future of Transport Rural Strategy and stated DfT will work with Defra, DHSC, and NHS England to maximize health outcomes for rural communities through the transport system.
190
Accepted in Part
Establish national mission, assess, and fund rural youth mental health services provision.
Recommendation
Given the over-reliance on CAMHS in rural areas as a response to mental ill- health amongst children and young people there is an urgent need to address the shortfall in youth services. Including youth services under the levelling-up agenda would …
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Government Response Summary
The government states mental health is a priority driver for the Levelling Up mission and reiterates the National Youth Guarantee by 2025. It rejects a new call for evidence, citing a recent review, but points to existing £300m investment in the Youth Investment Fund and its ongoing independent evaluation, whose findings will be shared with Defra.