§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to encourage people to train in psychiatric care. [59573]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 24 May 2002]The mental health care group work force team has set up a sub-group on recruitment and retention. The purpose of the sub-group is to encourage more people to work in mental health.
We also encourage medical staff to develop more rounded experience, and include an element of psychiatry in their training. Psychiatry is already a core part of the training of trainee doctors. The requirements for the new social work qualification, being introduced in 2003, requires students to undertake specific learning and assessment in a number of key areas including mental health.