Developing the Primary Mental Health Worker Role in England.

Abstract

The Primary Mental Health Worker (PMHW) interface role was introduced in England 13 years ago. This study evaluated the development of the role. 415 English PMHWs (64% of workforce) completed a survey about the services they provide, management organisation, training and development, and job satisfaction. PMHWs perceive their role to involve successful collaboration with primary care staff, offering improved access to mental health services, and being supported by a generally good infrastructure; although training opportunities remain an area of need. The workforce development policy appears, from the PMHWs' perspective, to be successful although training opportunities need consideration.