Boost to mental health services as government delivers thousands of extra staff
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More than 6,700 extra mental health workers have been recruited
since July, latest data shows, as the government prepares to
announce fundamental reforms to patient support in its 10 Year
Health Plan. The latest recruitment milestone means the
government is more than halfway towards its target of hiring an
extra 8,500 mental health staff by the end of this Parliament,
helping get people the care they need so they can get back to work,
school and doing what they...Request free trial
More than 6,700 extra mental health workers have been recruited since July, latest data shows, as the government prepares to announce fundamental reforms to patient support in its 10 Year Health Plan. The latest recruitment milestone means the government is more than halfway towards its target of hiring an extra 8,500 mental health staff by the end of this Parliament, helping get people the care they need so they can get back to work, school and doing what they love. It comes ahead of publication of the upcoming 10 Year Health Plan, which sets out ambitious plans to boost mental health support across the country. Under the plan, patients will get better access to support directly through the NHS App, including self-referral for talking therapies, without needing a GP appointment. Instead of people having to turn to costly mental health apps, the NHS App offers a free service built by trusted clinicians to help give all mental health patients the care they need, continuing the government's drive to tackle health inequalities. By embracing the latest technology across the health service, the plan lays the foundation for patients to access mental health support and advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the app. This could include opening the door to things like AI-driven virtual support as a first port of call, or health and well-being advice only currently accessible through paid-for apps. And alongside digital advances, 85 new dedicated mental health emergency departments will be built with £120 million secured in the recent Spending Review. Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting said: “Not getting the right support for your mental health isn't just debilitating, it can hit a painful pause button on your life – stopping you working, enjoying time with family and friends, or living day-to-day life.
“Patients have faced the crisis of access to mental health
services for far too long, and this government is determined to
change that through our Plan for Change to rebuild the
NHS. The new emergency units will be staffed by specialist doctors and nurses, providing around-the-clock support for patients experiencing a mental health crisis. Patients can walk in or be referred by GPs to the units, which are set to be open 24/7 and designed to provide a calm environment in contrast to the noise and chaos of major hospitals Alongside this, a Neighbourhood Mental Health Model, providing open access to specialist services and holistic support in community locations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is already being piloted in six locations. The reforms come at a time where mental health conditions are becoming more prevalent, with an adult psychiatric survey published this week showing over 22% of 16-to-64-year-olds have common mental conditions, up from 17% in 2007. Further plans for mental health due to be set out in the 10 Year Health Plan include utilising developments in pharmacogenomics, providing patients with personalised prescriptions and treatments. Alongside the reforms, the government is continuing its rollout of mental health support teams in schools, with almost one million more young people to benefit in education settings this year. And plans to set up Young Futures Hubs will make it easier for young people to access mental health, career and pastoral support in their communities, with youth workers, mental health support workers and careers advisers on hand to support young people's mental health. Under the Plan for Change, the government is committed to working beyond the health system to tackle the drivers of mental ill health, such as homelessness and unemployment. For example, recently announced welfare legislation is getting more people with health conditions back to work, backed by £1 billion to unlock opportunity and grow the economy. The public are also encouraged to take positive actions to look after their own mental health, including through creating their own personalised "Mind Plan" on the Every Mind Matters NHS website. ENDS. Notes to editor: Case study of Neighbourhood Mental Health Model: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) SLaM is overseeing one of six sites that have been awarded funding to test a new neighbourhood mental health centre model. The centre will cover the neighbourhood of Lewisham, which has the highest proportion of Black residents in the UK. A core 24/7 multi-disciplinary community mental health team will offer open access walk-in, day services, crisis function, and overnight crisis hospitality. The 24/7 Open Access Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre model is based on international exemplars, recognised by the World Health Organisation as one of the best approaches to mental health care. Through testing the model in the UK, we are seeking to understand whether it will result in similar improvements to patients such as a reduction in hospitalisation, a reduction in the need for the mental health act, a reduction in restraint, reduced waiting times and increased access. Locations of the 6 pilots:
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