We鈥檙e pleased to see a new NHS role created that will give greater senior representation to the psychological professions 鈥� including counselling and psychotherapy.

The National Clinical Lead (NCL) for Psychological Professions will give a voice to these professions at this leadership level within NHS England and Improvement and Health Education England for the first time.

They will input into policy making and the delivery of services.

Along with other organisations, we鈥檝e long campaigned for there to be greater leadership representation of the professions in the NHS.

We believe that having this new role within the organisation will help ensure the NHS Long Term Plan improves access to counselling and psychotherapy for the public and ensures the psychological therapies workforce expansion has a greater chance of success.

Positive development

Martin Bell, our Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said: 鈥淭his is a very positive development for the future of the counselling professions within the NHS. It鈥檚 a significant role that gives us parity with other health professions.

鈥淲e鈥檙e pleased to see this is a long-term position meaning the person who is appointed will have an important role in being able to bring about change and advance the professions with the NHS over the coming years.

鈥淲e鈥檝e been campaigning for greater representation within the NHS for several years and are pleased these calls have been listened to.

鈥淲e believe having a leadership role representing the psychological professions will be of benefit to our members, the public and the professions as a whole.

鈥淲e鈥檙e looking forward to working with whoever is appointed to the role, as we continue to campaign for increased access to a choice of therapies on the NHS.鈥�