Mental Health Practitioner

The Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) role supports adults and older adults with complex mental health needs that are not suitable for IAPT provision. This may be undertaken by any practitioner (registered or non-registered) including, but not limited to, a Community Psychiatric Nurse, Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Occupational Therapist, Peer Support Worker, Mental Health Community Connector or other role, as agreed between the PCN and community mental health service provider. 

From April 2021, Primary Care Networks (PCNs) have been able to recruit Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) through the ARRS, to support population health management.

Working with other PCN-based roles, MHPs can address the potential range of bio-psycho-social needs of patients with mental health problems, as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

MHPs are employed and provided by the local community mental health services provider under a local service agreement but are wholly deployed by the PCN. If necessary, ICBs will broker the agreement between the PCN and the community mental health services provider.

PCNs contribute 50 per cent of the salary and employers NI/pension costs, reimbursable via the ARRS. The remainder is covered by the local provider of mental health services, which will be confirmed in the NHS Standard Contract.

The NHS Confederation Mental Health Practitioners ARRS guide explains how MHPs can support population health management through providing a combined consultation, advice, triage and liaison function.