BARNSLEY residents are benefitting from faster and better mental health support - after more specialist workers were recruited.

Around one in five adults in England - an estimated 9.4 million - are now affected by a common mental health condition but high demand and subsequent long waits have historically been a significant barrier to people getting the support they need.

The government’s recruitment of 8,500 extra staff across the country means thousands more people will be able to access mental health services sooner and closer to home, cutting waiting times, shifting more care to the community and helping people access mental health support before they reach crisis point.

The new workers - including therapists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses and support staff - are now in post across NHS trusts, including Barnsley.

Stephanie Peacock, who represents Barnsley South, said: “It is brilliant news that this Labour government has succeeded in delivering on our manifesto commitment of recruiting 8,500 extra mental health staff to the NHS.

“Not only have we achieved this, but we have achieved it three years early.

“This will make a real difference to people across Barnsley.”

Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis welcomed the extra workers.

“Now, we’ve hit our target of recruiting 8,500 NHS mental health staff three years early.

“This is the difference a Labour government makes - real investment in our NHS, and improved access to mental health support.”