10
DEFRA's prioritisation and resources for rural mental health policy remain unclear
Conclusion
Although DEFRA is clearly responsible for working with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) to ensure mental health policy and services are rural proofed, it is unclear what priority, resources and energy DEFRA has assigned to achieving impact in this area. The NHS Long Term Plan and Mental Health Implementation Plan, together, provide the national framework for ambitions on mental health but, again, it is unclear how far rural communities’ mental health needs are being taken into account not least when, as DEFRA confirmed, it does not have adequate data in this area.
Paragraph Reference
95
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 3 November 2023. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document.
Addressee Bodies
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Timeline
Recommendation age
3.3 yrs
Report published
18 May 2023