Mental health plea for GP clinics

MENTAL health workers should be employed in every GP practice as part of a ‘life-saving’ recovery plan for Scotland’s NHS, according to Labour.

Scottish party leader Anas Sarwar is set to reveal the policy today as part of a national recovery plan for the NHS which will be published at the party’s campaign launch.

The move follows calls from the Royal College of General Practitioners for the Scottish Government to commit to transforming mental health with more focus on the use of specialist clinicians in primary care teams.

Mr Sarwar said: ‘I am putting improving access to mental health treatment front and centre of our plan – and it starts by putting vital mental health support workers in every GP clinic.

‘This one change could save countless lives – and help others begin the process of rebuilding their mental health after the pandemic.’