Hunt told new health policies do not add up
HEALTH SECRETARY Jeremy Hunt has vowed to recruit thousands of new mental health professionals – but a new report reveals the Government’s existing bid to attract other new doctors is falling short.
According to the British Medical Association, the promise to increase GP numbers by 5,000 by 2020 is “now unachievable”.
And as Mr Hunt announced a new promise to create 21,000 new mental health posts in order to treat an extra one million people by 2021, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) accused the Government’s policies of not adding up.
The Health Secretary said a £1.3bn NHS expansion plan for mental health services will lead to services being provided seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
He also said his changes would see mental and physical health services properly integrated for the first time.
Mr Hunt said: “As we embark on one of the biggest expansions of mental health services in Europe it is crucial we have the right people in post.”
The number of trained nurses, therapists, psychiatrists, peer support workers and other mental health professionals will all be increased under the plan.
But Janet Davies, the chief executive of the RCN, said: “The Government’s policies appear not to add up. If these nurses were going to be ready in time, they would be starting training next month.
“Under this Government, there are 5,000 fewer mental health nurses.
“The NHS needs to see hard cash to deliver any plans.”
A survey by the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) found that 39 per cent of family doctors think they are unlikely to be working in the profession in five years’ time. In a new report it says GP numbers have fallen since last September.
A Government spokesman said: “We recruited the highest number of GP trainees ever in 2016 – but crucially, we are giving GPs the financial backing to support improvements in patient care, with a £2.4bn increase in funding.”