Oral Answers to Questions

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Tuesday 10th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hunt]

I am more than happy to meet the YMCA. I also want to point out the amazing work done by the “Time2Change” campaign. I was at an event to mark its 10th anniversary, and I heard from young people who have spoken up about their mental health conditions, which takes a lot of courage. Things are changing, and we can draw a lot of hope from what is happening on the ground.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

Family doctors undertake such work, but why have only a quarter of them had any formal training in mental health?

[Mr Hunt]

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right to point out that a GP is often the first point of contact for many people. What are we doing? Three thousand mental health professionals will be seconded to GP surgeries over the next few years to give GPs the back-up they need in that area.