We have responded to the Department of Health and Social Care’s call for evidence on a new mental health strategy for England. Our response calls for regulation and registration to be built into reform from the outset, so that workforce growth, new roles, digital innovation and service redesign are supported by proportionate safeguards for patients and the public.
We highlight the role of PSA Accredited Registers in providing assurance for mental health practitioners who are not regulated by law, and recommend that the strategy considers the findings of the independent Commission on the Future of Counselling and Psychotherapy. We also stress the need for clear safeguards around the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in mental health services.