BPS responds to the publication of the Scottish Government’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Delivery Plan and Workforce Action Plan
The BPS welcomes both the Delivery Plan and Workforce Action Plan, including the specific actions related to the psychological workforce.
07 November 2023
However, we are concerned that there appears to be a lack of detail regarding budgets and how the workforce and delivery plans will be funded. It is vital that these plans are properly funded so that people can get the right support and care they need, in the right settings and from a properly trained and resourced workforce.
Key areas of focus include recruitment and retention, with a commitment to scoping and reviewing workforce gaps in particular areas of delivery (e.g. Learning difficulties, older adults), the development of a workforce action plan to address the specific needs of psychological therapies delivery and the aim to maintain the increased levels of postgraduate student intakes for Psychology Masters and Doctorate Programmes.
Alongside recruitment and retention there is a focus on better understanding workforce data, improving waiting times for CAMHS and psychological therapies and the launch of a new strategic board for children and families mental health.
Fiona Mackay, chair of the BPS Scottish Branch, said:
"The publication of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Delivery Plan and the Workforce Action Plan is a welcome step towards improving the nation's mental health and access to properly funded and resourced mental health services.
"We are pleased to see that tackling stigma is being prioritised and we keen to ensure that a preventative is taken across both of the plans.
"We were pleased as the BPS to sit on the Scottish Government Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Advisory Group and ensure the psychological voice and expertise was reflected and listened to. We now want to see clear funding plans to ensure that the psychology workforce and those they support are adequately funded."
The plans also cover how to improve access to support, assessment and treatment in primary care and mental health services across Scotland and improving access to, and the consistency and profile of, mental healthcare in prisons.
Read the full detail of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Delivery Plan and the Mental Health Workforce Action Plan.