Today the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, announced at the Labour Party Conference that a Labour Government would double the number of medical student places in the UK.
In her speech, Ms Reeves also restated Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge from last year that anyone would be able to access mental health treatment within a month.
Dr Adrian James, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:
“Today’s announcement at the Labour Party conference by the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, shows a significant commitment to tackle the workforce shortages in the NHS.
“We welcome this announcement of the biggest ever expansion of medical school places. As there is currently just one consultant psychiatrist per 12,567 people in England, it is vital to address the ever-increasing demand for mental health services.
“We were also pleased that Ms Reeves reiterated a commitment of guaranteed access to mental health treatment within a month. Everyone with a mental illness should be able to get the help they need, when they need it.”
For further information, please contact:
- Email: press@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Twitter: @rcpsych
- Out-of-hours contact number: 07860 755896