The Public Accounts Committee published its report on NHS mental health services today. Currently one-in-six adults have a mental health problem. The Government has pledged parity of esteem, which means mental health is given equal priority to physical health with equal access to services. There is some progress in recruiting more mental health professionals but this has been outstripped by the huge increase in demand for mental health support. Too many people are still waiting too long for the treatment they need. See here to read our report in full and see here for a summary.

I visited hospitals outside of London as part of preparation for a future Public Accounts Committee inquiry looking at the Government’s pledge to build 40 new hospitals. The Government is falling short but we’ll be looking at this in more detail in the autumn.

And I was pleased to be out and about in Hackney with Frampton Park Baptist Church and meeting residents on the Kingsmead estate. Parliament is now in recess, which means it won’t be meeting until September. But I’m still working, as is my office, so if you need my help do please get in touch by email, phone, or visiting me at my surgery.