The Staffing Shortfall: Liaison National Bank’s support for Mental Health Transformation
4th June 2025 | Liaison National Bank | 4 min read
We look at the mental health investment initiatives outlined by the NHS Confederation’s latest report, highlighting one of the central problems in implementing such enhancements – staffing – and how the Liaison National Bank provides a solution…
The NHS Confederation’s report, Investment Priorities for Mental Health 2025, published in May 2025, outlines six strategic areas where targeted investment can enhance mental health services, promote early intervention, and deliver economic benefits. These priorities aim to address the increasing demand for mental health care and the disparities between mental and physical health services.
These strategic areas include supporting new mothers’ mental health, implementing evidence-based parenting programmes, expanding early support hubs for young people, enhancing NHS talking therapies, investing in individual placement and support, and improving mental health crisis services.
The current mental health estate is often outdated, with facilities not conducive to recovery. Investing in modern, therapeutic environments and alternatives to hospital admissions, such as crisis cafes and safe havens, can improve patient experiences, reduce inappropriate out-of-area placements, and decrease the length of hospital stays.
By focusing on these areas, the report emphasises that strategic investments can lead to more effective mental health services, better patient outcomes, and significant economic savings.
However, all of these priorities rely on one crucial element for success – the availability of experienced clinicians to provide the services required. In September 2023, it was reported that there were 28,600 vacancies in mental health services, including 1,700 medical and 13,300 nursing vacancies. In every region of England, vacancy rates in mental health services are higher than the overall NHS vacancy rate.
To support in such initiatives as the ones proposed by NHS Confederation here, the Liaison National Bank provides a solution.
The National Bank houses the UK’s largest bank of retired clinicians, with mental health as a specialist area covered, providing support for NHS providers where it’s needed most – and connecting retired and peri-retired clinicians with trusts and health boards to expand their staffing options and plug workforce gaps. And as financial pressures continue to impact NHS organisations, the economic benefit of making use of the National Bank compared to standard agency use means savings of over £26 per every hour charged* – a significant saving amount across shifts, departments, and organisations overall.
Judith Shaw, Managing Partner for Liaison Workforce, says:
“Liaison Workforce already provides services to over 40% of Mental Health Trusts in England, and as the National Bank grows, it is our aim to truly make a difference to the landscape of mental health care, and we are committed to helping to improving and integrating mental health services. We understand the challenges the sector is facing, and want to help drive real and lasting change.
Without sufficient resourcing and capacity, mental health systems will continue to struggle, and any proposed investment areas are unlikely to produce the intended benefits, ultimately having a negative impact on patients and communities.”
*Savings seen in Obstetrics & Gynaecology bookings from December 2024 to March 2025 using NHS Emeritus, in comparison to average agency hourly charge.