Patients receiving mental health care are set to benefit from more efficient services due to a new pilot scheme from Health Education England (HEE).

Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors in psychiatry are now able to train as approved clinicians, so they can take on more responsibility and make higher-level decisions about patients.

Patients will then get access to a dedicated clinician equipped to deal with their precise needs and who can support them through their care.

The pilot scheme is initially providing 42 spaces.

Professor Wendy Burn, HEE’s National Mental Health Clinical Advisor, said: “I’m delighted that HEE is launching this exciting pilot to support SAS doctors to become recognised as approved clinicians.

“SAS doctors are an essential part of our medical workforce and this programme will improve their ability to provide good care for patients.”