That this House recognises the integrated model of care at Melbury Lodge, which embeds Citizens Advice services directly into a mental health inpatient setting, enabling patients to access support for issues such as debt, housing, employment and financial hardship as part of their treatment; commends the automatic nature of the inclusion of Citizens Advice into patient treatment plans so that individuals do not need to proactively seek referrals or advocate for themselves at a time when they are mentally unwell; notes that many patients experience social and economic challenges that can contribute to mental health crises, delay recovery and lead to readmission; further notes that this approach has resulted in shorter lengths of stay, reduced readmissions, improved engagement with community services following discharge, and increased staff satisfaction and morale; highlights evidence from a cohort of 50 patients at Melbury Lodge showing that the model delivered a return of £14.06 for every £1 invested, generating savings of approximately £250,000 over a nine-month period for just 50 patients; and calls on the Government to explore the wider adoption of similar models across NHS mental health services to improve patient outcomes and reduce pressure on inpatient care.
