News

Foundation of Nursing Studies to conduct national mental health review

Mental health review forms part of government's five-year strategy

The Foundation of Nursing Studies is about to embark on a national review of the work of mental health nurses in England. 

Its project will begin next month and be led by FoNS chair and mental health nurse Tony Butterworth. Professor Butterworth promises to ‘address the work of mental health nurses and the particular specialist support they can give’ while adding to the ‘timely debate on the proper delivery of mental health services'.

FoNS has been commissioned by the England mental health task force set up last year by NHS England. The task force published its Five Year Forward View report on mental health this week.

The government said it will spend a billion pounds a year over the next five years to ensure an additional one million people receive mental health treatment. Health Education England has promised to expand the mental health workforce by 22% in that period.

FoNS chief executive Theresa Shaw welcomed the chance for her organisation to help implement the five-year plan.

She said: ‘While the government’s announcement of new resources is welcome, it is the case that mental health nursing is facing the most acute shortages. Seeking to strengthen and support the profession is central to caring, safe and effective mental health care and to ensuring the wellbeing of those tasked with its delivery.’