Jeremy Hunt Announces £1.3bn for Mental Health Services

Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, has today announced plans to spend an extra £1.3 billion on mental health services, which will include 21,000 new posts planned for nurses, therapists, psychiatrists and peer support workers. Intended to help the integration of mental and physical health care, the funding will help to create 2,000 additional posts in child and adolescent mental health services, and 2,900 additional therapists in adult talking services, with 4,800 extra nurses and therapists in crisis care settings.

Jeremy Hunt commented: “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 – that’s why we’re supporting those already in the profession to stay, and giving incentives to those considering a career in mental health. These measures are ambitious, but essential for delivering the high performing and well-resourced mental health services we all want to see.”

Read our response to the announcement here.