HC Deb 02 May 2000 vol 349 cc62-3W
Mr. Ruane

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the recruitment of clinical psychologists and child psychotherapists. [120328]

Mr. Denham

We recognise that National Health Service staff are the key to delivering its ambitious programme to modernise the Service, and we are taking a number of steps which will help to address the issue of recruitment and retention of clinical psychologists and child psychotherapists.

The recently published National Service Framework for mental health demands concerted local action through health improvement programmes, using local mechanisms for workforce planning, education and training, and continuing professional development and lifelong learning. The standards set out will require properly trained and supported additional staff across all groups to provide modern health care.

The Department has established an action team, chaired by Sue Hunt, an experienced mental health services chief executive, to deliver a nationally co-ordinated programme of support to help local health and social services authorities meet their complex workforce needs.

We are modernising services and modernising employment practice in the NHS: developing more supportive, flexible and family friendly working practices; extending and improving investment in lifelong learning and professional development; tackling violence and racism in the workplace; involving staff in the way services are delivered and in the changes and developments that affect their working lives. Pay is also being addressed.

In addition, we are developing the interactive service "NHS Careers" which will cover all NHS staff in due course.

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