The Government must invest in NHS Talking Therapies and those delivering it for the 10 year Health Plan to succeed.
As part of the 10 Year Health Plan for England, the Government announced the three shifts they are intending to make to how the NHS works:
- from hospital to community
- from analogue to digital
- from sickness to prevention
As part of the plan, the DHSC launched a consultation seeking evidence on how the shifts are being implemented locally and impacting the workforce, workforce modelling assumptions, improving productivity and building positive culture and leadership.
Commenting on the DHSC call for evidence on the 10 Year Workforce Plan, BABCP Senior Clinical Advisor, Helen Macdonald said: “Many of the changes introduced by the 10 year Health Plan in the summer are positive, but for them to be effective, there needs to be appropriate funding and equitable access for all – regardless of location, age, background- to evidence-based treatments, such as CBT.
“There continues to be a need to increase patient and public protection by ensuring interventions delivered by the NHS are only by qualified and registered or accredited practitioners, particularly in psychological therapies.
“While some progress has been made, some key barriers remain including the long-term lack of staff, prioritising workforce wellbeing and funding for mental health services so that people can afford to work in mental health services long term.”
You can read the full BABCP response to the 10-Year Plan consultation here.
