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Thousands of new mental health nursing posts to be created, government announces

An NHS expansion plan for mental health services will see thousands of new mental health nursing posts created, the government has said.
Jeremy Hunt

An NHS expansion plan for mental health services will see thousands of new mental health nursing posts created in England, the government has said

The number of nurses, therapists, psychiatrists, peer support workers and other mental health professionals will be 'dramatically' increased with 21,000 new posts under the plan, according to the Department of Health.

The plans also include a drive to encourage some of the estimated 30,000 trained mental health nurses not substantively employed by the NHS to return to practice, and a focus on retention of the existing workforce.

Training issues

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said the aim was to treat an extra one million people by 2021 under one of the biggest boosts to mental care in Europe.

Jeremy Hunt
Jeremy Hunt: 'It is crucial we have the right people in post.' Picture: Terence Philips

However, the RCN questioned whether enough people could be trained in such time, and if there were the resources to do so.

The £1.3 billion drive will provide services 24/7, and properly integrate mental and physical health services for the first time, Mr Hunt said.

The move will see 2,000 additional nurses, consultants and therapist posts created in child and adolescent mental health services.

The government has pledged an extra 4,800 nurses and therapists in crisis care settings, and 2,900 additional therapists will help adult talking services.

Mr Hunt said: 'As we embark on one of the biggest expansions of mental health services in Europe it is crucial we have the right people in post – that's why we're supporting those already in the profession to stay and giving incentives to those considering a career in mental health.

'These measures are ambitious, but essential for delivering the high performing and well-resourced mental health services we all want to see.'

Does it add up?

RCN general secretary Janet Davies said: 'The government's policies appear not to add up.

'If these nurses were going to be ready in time, they would be starting training next month. But we have seen that the withdrawal of the bursary has led to a sharp fall in university applications and we are yet to see funding for additional places.

'There is already a dangerous lack of workforce planning and accountability and this report is unable to provide detail on how the ambitions will be met.

'It is clear the government will need to work hard just to get back to the number of specialist staff working in mental health services in 2010. Under this government, there are 5,000 fewer mental health nurses and that goes some way to explaining why patients are being failed.


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