Written Question · S6W-08111 · Session 6
Whether there are staff shortages in the mental health workforce, and, if so, how these shortages will be addressed.
The question
To ask the Scottish Government whether there are staff shortages in the mental health workforce, and, if so, how these shortages will be addressed.
The answer
The main Mental Health professional groups that the Scottish Government holds data for are Psychiatrists, Mental Health Nurses and Psychologists, including other psychological clinical staff and therapists. The Scottish Government also holds workforce figures for CAMHS, which are multidisciplinary teams that include, in addition to the professions mentioned above, AHPs, counsellors and social workers.
Under this government (since 2007), the number of:
a. Psychiatric Consultants across all specialities in NHSScotland has increased by 21.6% to 548.8 WTE posts;
b. The Mental Health Nursing workforce in NHSScotland has increased by 34.7% to 9,763.2 WTE posts;
c. Staff providing Psychology Services in NHSScotland has increased by 95% to the current all-time high of 1,359.3 WTE posts; and
d. Staff within CAMHS is up by 83.4% to the current all-time high of 1099.5 WTE posts.
NHS Scotland’s Mental Health Nursing, Psychology and CAMHS staffing numbers were at a record high on 31 December 2021.
Vacancy rates at 31 December 2021 were: 16.6% (107.5 WTE) for Consultant Psychiatrists, 12.4% (1,377.3 WTE) for Mental Health Nurses, 12.3% (191 WTE) for Psychology staff and 14.7% (190 WTE) for staff within CAMHS reflecting demand for staff as services continue to grow.
The Scottish Government also collects and publishes figures for mental health workers recruited under Action 15 of the Mental Health Strategy 2017-27, representing our commitment to recruit an additional 800 mental health workers between 2018-19 and 2021-22, to key settings such as A&E departments, GP practices, police station custody suites and prisons. As at 1 January 2022, 756.9 WTE mental health posts have recruited under Action 15.
The latest Action 15 recruitment figures as at 1 January 2022 can be accessed at Mental health workers: quarterly performance reports
- gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Despite this workforce expansion, demand for Mental Health Services remains high. The Scottish Government has committed to develop a long-term Mental Health Workforce Plan in the first half of this Parliament, and to ensure that by 2026, 10% of frontline NHS budget is invested in mental health, with 1% directed specifically to children and young people.
Under this government (since 2007), the number of:
a. Psychiatric Consultants across all specialities in NHSScotland has increased by 21.6% to 548.8 WTE posts;
b. The Mental Health Nursing workforce in NHSScotland has increased by 34.7% to 9,763.2 WTE posts;
c. Staff providing Psychology Services in NHSScotland has increased by 95% to the current all-time high of 1,359.3 WTE posts; and
d. Staff within CAMHS is up by 83.4% to the current all-time high of 1099.5 WTE posts.
NHS Scotland’s Mental Health Nursing, Psychology and CAMHS staffing numbers were at a record high on 31 December 2021.
Vacancy rates at 31 December 2021 were: 16.6% (107.5 WTE) for Consultant Psychiatrists, 12.4% (1,377.3 WTE) for Mental Health Nurses, 12.3% (191 WTE) for Psychology staff and 14.7% (190 WTE) for staff within CAMHS reflecting demand for staff as services continue to grow.
The Scottish Government also collects and publishes figures for mental health workers recruited under Action 15 of the Mental Health Strategy 2017-27, representing our commitment to recruit an additional 800 mental health workers between 2018-19 and 2021-22, to key settings such as A&E departments, GP practices, police station custody suites and prisons. As at 1 January 2022, 756.9 WTE mental health posts have recruited under Action 15.
The latest Action 15 recruitment figures as at 1 January 2022 can be accessed at Mental health workers: quarterly performance reports
- gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Despite this workforce expansion, demand for Mental Health Services remains high. The Scottish Government has committed to develop a long-term Mental Health Workforce Plan in the first half of this Parliament, and to ensure that by 2026, 10% of frontline NHS budget is invested in mental health, with 1% directed specifically to children and young people.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S6W-08111 by reference.