Latest news

Here you'll find our press releases, our official responses to external events and other news from around the College.

We also have dedicated news pages for our Devolved Nations (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales/Cymru) and the CCQI.

Child alone
Time to act: hundreds of children sent out of area every day for mental health treatment

Our analysis of the latest NHS England data shows a shocking 319 children and adolescents in England were forced to travel out of their area for mental health treatment from December 2023 to November 2024.

More information Press release
08feb by RCPsych Press Office
NHS logo
“NHS planning guidance gives commissioners autonomy but must not come at expense of people with mental illness” says RCPsych

RCPsych President, Dr Lade Smith CBE, comments on new NHS planning guidance for 2025/26.

More information Statement / comment
31jan by RCPsych Press Office
Use of digital monitoring technology in mental health settings
Use of digital monitoring technology in mental health settings

RCPsych comments on the use of digital monitoring technology in mental health settings.

More information Statement / comment
22jan by RCPsych Press Office
eating disorders
New report "lays bare significant mismatch between demand for eating disorder services and their availability", says RCPsych President

RCPsych President, Dr Lade Smith CBE, has called for action to address the long waiting times facing people with eating disorders.

More information Statement / comment
22jan by RCPsych Press Office
parliament
7.5 million referrals on waiting lists doesn’t include mental health patients, cautions RCPsych

Dr Lade Smith CBE, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, responds to the Government's plan to reduce waiting lists for elective care in England.

More information Statement / comment
06jan by RCPsych Press Office
Buckingham palace
RCPsych Fellows recognised in the 2025 New Year Honours

We are delighted that RCPsych leaders have been recognised for their contributions to psychiatry and mental health in the New Year Honours list.

More information Online news
31dec by RCPsych Press Office
houses of parliament westminster
RCPsych welcomes Government commitment to Mental Health Investment Standard (MHIS)

Wes Streeting MP, the Health and Social Care Secretary has told the Commons health and social care committee that he is 'committed' to the Mental Health Investment Standard.

More information Statement / comment
18dec by RCPsych Press Office
houses of parliament westminster
RCPsych comments on vote for assisted dying Bill in England and Wales

A total of 330 MPs have voted in favour of moving the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill through to the next stage of the legislative process in Westminster while 275 have voted against it.

More information Statement / comment
29nov by RCPsych Press Office
Woman playing with child
Children’s mental health crisis deepens: severe shortage of psychiatrists to meet growing demand

Our analysis found that the number of children and young people accessing treatment for mental health conditions in England has risen by 27% in just three years.

More information Press release
28nov by RCPsych Press Office
“The Mental Health Bill is a step in the right direction but there is still work to be done” – Royal College of Psychiatrists
“The Mental Health Bill is a step in the right direction but there is still work to be done” – Royal College of Psychiatrists

Dr Lade Smith CBE, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, says plans to modernise the Mental Health Act represent an historic opportunity to improve the lives of people with mental illness.

More information Press release
06nov by RCPsych Press Office
  • children
    More research into children and young people’s mental health urgently needed, says RCPsych

    Dr Guy Northover, Vice Chair of the RCPsych Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Faculty, responds to a new study on the shortage of senior academic posts in the field.

    More information Statement / comment
    10feb by RCPsych Press Office
  • Child alone
    Time to act: hundreds of children sent out of area every day for mental health treatment

    Our analysis of the latest NHS England data shows a shocking 319 children and adolescents in England were forced to travel out of their area for mental health treatment from December 2023 to November 2024.

    More information Press release
    08feb by RCPsych Press Office
  • NHS logo
    RCPsych responds to NHS principles for using digital technologies in mental health inpatient treatment and care

    RCPsych President Dr Lade Smith CBE comments on new NHS principles designed to help mental health providers and clinicians consider whether the use of digital technologies are the most appropriate and effective method of caring for a patient.

    More information Statement / comment
    07feb by RCPsych Press Office
  • RCPsych responds to independent mental health homicide report
    RCPsych responds to independent mental health homicide report

    RCPsych President Dr Lade Smith CBE responds to a new report on children and young people's mental health.

    More information Statement / comment
    05feb by RCPsych Press Office
  • "Mental health crisis affecting children is bad for individuals, the NHS and national productivity" says RCPsych in response to new report
    "Mental health crisis affecting children is bad for individuals, the NHS and national productivity" says RCPsych in response to new report

    RCPsych President Dr Lade Smith CBE responds to a new report on children and young people's mental health.

    More information Statement / comment
    05feb by RCPsych Press Office
  • Woman holding glass of wine
    Alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland reach 15-year high

    The number of alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland has reached a 15-year high, the latest official figures show.

    More information Scotland news, Press release
    05feb by RCPsych Press Office
  • NHS logo
    “NHS planning guidance gives commissioners autonomy but must not come at expense of people with mental illness” says RCPsych

    RCPsych President, Dr Lade Smith CBE, comments on new NHS planning guidance for 2025/26.

    More information Statement / comment
    31jan by RCPsych Press Office
  • Stormont - Northern Ireland
    Mental health crisis in Northern Ireland cannot be overstated say psychiatrists

    The crisis in mental health care cannot be overstated, Northern Ireland’s leading psychiatrists said today.

    More information Northern Ireland news, Press release
    31jan by RCPsych in Northern Ireland
  • RCPsych Scotland Vice-Chair Dr Pavan Srireddy
    Almost 20% of consultant psychiatrist jobs in Scotland seeking permanent recruit, data shows

    Nearly one in five senior mental health roles in Scotland are either vacant or filled by locums, figures show.

    More information Scotland news, Press release
    28jan by RCPsych Press Office
  • Scottish chair responds to Swinney speech on NHS Reform Framework
    Scottish chair responds to Swinney speech on NHS Reform Framework

    Patients in Scotland are not getting “the right care in the right place at the right time”, John Swinney has said.

    More information Scotland news, Press release
    28jan by RCPsych Press Office