Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Accepted
Outline plans to improve and expand mental health preventive and public health services.
Conclusion
Preventive and public health services for mental health have not had the same priority and focus on improvement as NHS mental health treatment services. Previous government strategies have emphasised the importance of preventive services for mental health and wellbeing, alongside treatment for mental illness. However, we, and many stakeholders, are concerned that preventive services have not been given the same priority and focus as NHS treatment services. From 2018–19 to 2022–23, the local authority public health grant had a real-terms reduction of 6%. The new ICSs will be a key mechanism for taking forward public health improvements and, while the Department and NHSE argue that “a fair amount of progress” has been made in promoting mental health over the last 10 to 15 years, they acknowledge that not all areas are fully mature in terms of preventive infrastructure. Given the range of social and economic factors that affect mental health, an effective preventive programme will require action from across government. In April 2022, government consulted on plans for a new 10-year cross-government strategy on mental health and wellbeing. However, many stakeholders have expressed their disappointment about the replacement of this by a planned five-year major conditions strategy from the Department, with mental health one of six conditions covered. Recommendation 6: The Major Conditions Strategy must clearly set out how preventive and public health services for mental health will be improved and expanded, including how the right workforce will be secured. 8 Progress in improving NHS mental health services 1 Progress in improving and expanding mental health services
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation, committing to ensure the Major Conditions Strategy prioritises preventive mental health services. It outlines specific policies including a new impact assessment tool, support for employers, and increased mental health support teams in schools, adding that the final strategy report (due early 2024) will address workforce needs in conjunction with the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation published on 14 August. This sets out the Department for Health and Social Care’s strategic approach to improving care for people living with six groups of conditions. As part of this, the department recognises the importance of mental ill-health as a major condition, as well as the importance of prevention, ensuring physical health needs of people with mental ill-health are addressed, and ensuring that mental health is included as a core part of how the other major conditions are treated. To support this work, the department has set out multiple policies that can help to support mental health and wellbeing. These include the implementation of a new mental health and wellbeing impact assessment tool to support policy makers across government in considering and addressing the impacts of any new policies on mental health and wellbeing; outlining government’s role in supporting employers to improve the support they provide for the mental and physical health of themselves and their employees; and increasing the number of schools and colleges with an embedded mental health support team. The final report will be published in early 2024 and will include consideration of how the right workforce may be secured. DHSC is working closely with NHS England, as part of the implementation of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, which included a commitment to grow the proportion of NHS staff working in mental health, primary and community care.