Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the Government will publish a full workforce strategy to (a) address shortages in the mental health workforce and (b) support the implementation of the NHS Long Term Plan.

The interim NHS People Plan was published on 3 June 2019 and sets out the action we will take now and over the long term to address workforce shortages, strengthen education and training, and improve culture and leadership in the National Health Service. The interim NHS People Plan recognises that urgent action must be taken to increase the numbers of mental health nurses and to strengthen the training and skill mix for those working in mental health.

Mental health matters as much as physical health and the Government is prioritising resources to deliver real improvements for those who access services and work in that sector.

The final NHS People Plan is due to be published in the next few months.