The Prime Minister has today confirmed 40 hospitals will be built by 2030 as part of a package worth £3.7 billion, with eight further new schemes invited to bid.
Commenting on the announcement, Dr Trudi Seneviratne, Registrar at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:
“With a third of psychiatrists saying that the quality of mental health buildings has compromised care for patients during the pandemic, it is vital that mental health is not forgotten when planning to build a better NHS. Only three of the forty projects outlined appear to be for people with a mental illness, so it is vital that the upcoming Spending Review includes an additional £4.4 billion investment to improve mental health facilities by 2024/25.
“It is good that mental health hospitals are able to bid to be one of the extra eight sites to receive additional funding but with over 20% of the mental health trust estate built before the NHS existed, we really need a guarantee they are not going to miss out again. The Spending Review will be a big test if the Government is willing to invest in parity of esteem for mental health.”
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