Dr Thérèse Coffey, Health and Social Care Secretary of State and Deputy Prime Minister, yesterday (Thursday 22 September) set out plans for patients to receive easier access to NHS and social care this winter.
The Government’s plan will sit alongside the NHS Long Term Plan, the forthcoming workforce plan, and plans to reform adult social care.
Dr Trudi Seneviratne, Registrar at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:
“We welcome the Secretary of State's renewed commitment to publish a long-term NHS workforce plan. This is vital to tackle the ever-increasing demand for mental health services, especially as the cost-of-living crisis worsens.
There are currently at least 1.4 million people waiting for mental health services, with a further 8 million, who would benefit from care if access barriers were removed. With this in mind we must also have a fully-funded mental health recovery plan so that everyone with a mental illness can get the help they need, when they need it.”
For further information, please contact:
- Email: press@rcpsych.ac.uk
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