'Government must now set a more ambitious goal': We respond to news of additional 8,500 mental health workers

The government has announced it has recruited 8,500 additional mental health workers, in line with a manifesto commitment.

Brian Dow, Deputy Chief Executive of Rethink Mental Illness, said:

“This increase in the mental health workforce is welcome, and it is positive that systems have taken steps to invest in mental health workforce amid a difficult financial environment. We also recognise the dedication of staff who continue to support people experiencing mental illness in extremely challenging circumstances. Having proven that it could achieve this target, the government must now set a more ambitious goal to match the scale and urgency of need, because meeting this target must not be mistaken for solving the workforce crisis in mental health. This is resulting in delayed treatment, an increased reliance on agency staff on mental health wards, and avoidable errors in care. 

“With the government’s NHS workforce plan due shortly, now is the time to go further and faster on workforce. Not only will this ensure services can intervene early, offer continuity of care, and keep people safe when they experience crisis, but as recent polling by More in Common shows, such efforts will be met with widespread support from the public.”