Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Committee received evidence from Department of Health and NHS England
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department of Health & Social Care (the Department) and NHS England (NHSE).1 We also took evidence from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), Care Quality Commission (CQC), Centre for Mental Health and Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).
Government Response Summary
Although the original item was a conclusion about evidence-taking, the government used its response to highlight its commitment to address mental health workforce challenges through the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, aiming for 4.4% annual growth in the mental health workforce to 2036-37 and promising a refreshed projection every two years. An update will be provided in January 2024.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. challenges facing the NHS workforce over the next 15 years, including mental health, and sets out the steps needed to address this, including: actions and reforms to close supply shortfalls, improve retention, increase workforce productivity, and develop a modern and inclusive employment culture. The plan sets out a need to ensure the growth of the overall mental health and learning disability workforce is the fastest of all care settings – 4.4% per year to 2036-37 – to meet increasing demand and drive parity of esteem between physical and mental health. NHS England will continue to develop and refresh the modelling approach and plan, and publish a refreshed projection every two years (or aligned to fiscal events as appropriate). This process will be supported by ongoing engagement with stakeholders. NHS England will work closely with regions, systems, providers and wider partners to drive forward the implementation of the Long-Term Workforce Plan. The National Mental Health programme continues to create new roles, develop a national campaign to promote careers in mental health, develop NHS Talking Therapies workforce development and retention guidance, and develop enhanced use of digital technologies to help improve the productivity of and increase access to mental health services. NHS England will provide an update on progress in January 2024 as part of its joint letter with DHSC to the Committee.