Mental Health Facilities Dorset
2026-06-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by the need for investment in mental health infrastructure, specifically mentioning the Forston clinic which requires upgrades.
What steps he is taking to improve mental health facilities in Dorset. This summer, two new state-of-the-art mental health facilities are opening in Dorset: Chaddesley House in Poole and Seastone in Bournemouth. That is thanks to continued investment from this Labour Government. However, the Forston clinic in the west of the county requires fresh investment to upgrade worn-out hospital buildings. Will the Minister meet local NHS bosses, the hon. Member for West Dorset (Edward Morello) and me to discuss securing the investment needed to finally upgrade the Forston clinic?
My hon. Friend is right that his constituents will be able to access care at the new facilities in Poole and Bournemouth thanks to the Government's investment in the new hospitals programme, but there is more to do. We are committed to addressing poor-quality NHS infrastructure and ensuring that facilities such as Forston clinic are safe, comfortable and capable of high-quality care. That is why we are investing £30 billion over five years for the maintenance and repair of the NHS estate. We would be delighted to meet the hon. Members and local NHS leaders to discuss the issue further.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about a meeting was not directly confirmed, instead promising to consider the matter in future discussions.
Under Review
Committed To
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The question is prompted by the need for investment in mental health infrastructure, specifically mentioning the Forston clinic which requires upgrades.
This summer, two new state-of-the-art mental health facilities are opening in Dorset: Chaddesley House in Poole and Seastone in Bournemouth. That is thanks to continued investment from this Labour Government. However, the Forston clinic in the west of the county requires fresh investment to upgrade worn-out hospital buildings. Will the Minister meet local NHS bosses, the hon. Member for West Dorset (Edward Morello) and me to discuss securing the investment needed to finally upgrade the Forston clinic?
My hon. Friend is right that his constituents will be able to access care at the new facilities in Poole and Bournemouth thanks to the Government's investment in the new hospitals programme, but there is more to do. We are committed to addressing poor-quality NHS infrastructure and ensuring that facilities such as Forston clinic are safe, comfortable and capable of high-quality care. That is why we are investing £30 billion over five years for the maintenance and repair of the NHS estate. We would be delighted to meet the hon. Members and local NHS leaders to discuss the issue further.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about a meeting was not directly confirmed, instead promising to consider the matter in future discussions.
Under Review
Committed To
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by the high rates of hospitalisation for self-harm among young people in Dorset, with evidence suggesting early onset of mental health conditions.
I thank the Minister for his comments about Forston, which some of my residents use. Evidence suggests that half of mental health conditions are established by age 14, and three quarters by age 24. In Dorset, our rates of hospitalisation for self-harm are almost twice the national average for 15 to 19-year-olds. I recently met Anya, a student at Lytchett school and deputy Member of Youth Parliament for Dorset. She has launched her “Health in Mind” campaign to ease young people back into school following periods of mental or physical health issues. It is so inspiring to see the work that she is doing, but will the Minister meet me and Anya to hear more about her campaign and to see how we can reintegrate children more successfully back into school after ill health, particularly mental ill health?
I pay tribute to Anya for the outstanding work she is doing. We are providing early intervention for children's mental health and wellbeing by rolling out mental health support teams to every school by 2029. We are also investing £13 million to pilot enhanced training for staff so that they can offer more support to young people with complex needs such as trauma, neurodivergence and disordered eating. If the hon. Lady writes to me with further details of Anya's work, I am sure that we can continue that conversation.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about a meeting was not directly confirmed, instead suggesting communication via writing.
Under Review
Committed To
Response accuracy