New pilot scheme to make mental health services more efficient

Health Education England is launching a pilot scheme which will enable Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors in psychiatry to train as approved clinicians. The NHS hopes the new scheme will give patients seeking mental health care access to more efficient services.

Some decisions under the Mental Health Act (MHA) can only be taken by people who are approved clinicians. The approved training will therefore enable doctors to take on more responsibility and make importance choices about patients’ care.

The course includes protected time for learning and access to an NHS-funded mental health law course. It will be available across England to 43 SAS doctors in psychiatry in 2022/23.

The impact of the pandemic on mental health services

The pilot comes following the unprecedented impact of the pandemic on mental health services across the NHS.

In August 2022, the number of people waiting for community mental health care rose to 1.2 million. With long waits for consultations, early intervention opportunities are often missed and many are at greater risk of reaching crisis point and having to receive inpatient care.

Vicki Nash, head of policy, campaigns and public affairs at mental health charity Mind said the backlog of care is the cumulative result of “years of underfunding combined with overwhelming demand for statutory mental health support”.

Improving care for patients

Health Education England hope this new scheme will speed up decision-making processes and enable more patients to gain access to mental health services in a timely manner.

Professor Wendy Burn, Health Education England’s National Mental Health Clinical Advisor, said: “I’m delighted that HEE is launching this exciting pilot to support SAS doctors to become recognised as approved clinicians.

“SAS doctors are an essential part of our medical workforce and this programme will improve their ability to provide good care for patients.”