Skip to main content

Written question asked by Lord Turnberg (Labour) on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 December 2024. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 December 2024 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.


Clinical Psychologists: Vacancies

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what efforts they are making to address the shortage of clinical psychologists in mental health trusts.

Answer

The National Health Service is expanding access to NHS Talking Therapies for adults with common mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, with a commitment to increase the number of people completing courses of treatment by 384,000 and increase the number of sessions, between 2024/25 and 2028/29.

Decisions about recruitment are matters for individual NHS trusts. NHS trusts manage their recruitment at a local level, ensuring they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care.

However, we know that the NHS has been facing workforce shortages for a number of years and, while there has been growth in the mental health workforce over recent years, more is needed. That is why, as part of our mission to build an NHS that is fit for the future and is there when people need it, we will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers to reduce waiting times and provide faster treatment. We recognise that bringing in the staff needed will take time. We are working with NHS England on options to deliver this expansion of the mental health workforce.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3024
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Mental health services Vacancies Clinical psychologists
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk