BPS calls for more psychology staff in primary care in Wales
More psychological professions staff should be employed in primary care to provide earlier access to support, tackle long waiting times, and stop further decline in our population’s poor mental health, the BPS told Members of the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) this week.
23 November 2023
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Primary care could better embed psychology-led services, with staff providing evidence-based care, Senedd Members heard, so that patients receive an effective service that meets their needs at the right time.
Psychologists could also train and supervise other primary care professionals to work in a psychologically-informed way, in line with Matrics Cymru - Wales' evidence-based therapies framework.
These messages were conveyed to Senedd Members who attended the launch of the 2023 annual report of the Royal College Mental Health Expert Advisory Group Wales, of which the BPS is a member, in the Senedd on Tuesday.
The BPS was represented by Elanor Maybury, co-chair of the Division of Clinical Psychology in Wales, and Manel Tippett, BPS Senior Public Affairs Adviser Wales.
Dr Maybury said: "We had the chance to speak to Members of the Senedd across all political parties about the state of mental health services, the importance of psychology in supporting patients, and the need for a better workforce plan to meet demand now and well into the future.
"In particular, we emphasised the greater role that psychologists could play in primary care, helping to provide quicker care at the point of need. We know that people are not receiving support for their mental health when they need it, so this would have the added advantage of reducing longs waits for care that we're currently seeing.
"We were also pleased to attend this event to highlight the activities of the Royal Mental Health Expert Advisory Group, and to list what we collectively see as our key priorities going forward during a time when there's a lot of opportunity to strengthen mental health policy, legislation, and service delivery in Wales," Dr Maybury added.
"Our diverse group of health professionals demonstrates that we can work together to deliver what's best for the population."
The group's report comes as the mental health strategy for Wales (Together for Mental Health) is being reviewed and updated, and as the new Mental Health (Wales) Bill is being developed and debated in the Senedd in December.
Key messages in the report include that mental health inequalities must be tackled in the forthcoming mental health strategy, with a particular emphasis on children and young people, and a focus on children under-5.
The BPS believes intervention is particularly important in very young children and in adolescents, highlighting that most babies, under-5s and their parents do not receive the support they need to address these issues both during and after pregnancy.
The advisory group's report also highlights the need to develop seamless models of care through investment in the mental health workforce.
You can read the group's full report here.