BPS responds to the abolition of NHS England

Responding to the news that NHS England is set to be abolished by the government, President of the British Psychological Society Dr Roman Raczka said: 

"We await to see the details of the government's plans and we will be working closely with our members to respond to all consultations on the future of NHS England. 

"More important than structure however are the patients that use the health service and the workforce that look after them. It is well documented that many patients continue to experience lengthy waiting times for access to mental health services. We must not lose sight of the fact that greater investment in expanding the mental health workforce, as well as in early intervention and prevention services, remain urgently needed. 

"We agree with the government's assessment that the health challenges facing the UK must be tackled as a matter of priority, but it is not yet clear how staff and patients will be impacted by these structural changes. We will be following the government's legislative plans with interest and how they fit with helping to give patients the NHS services that they truly deserve."