Ms Kate Mitchell:

I can start with that. The Deputy makes a very important point. As we know, primary care can meet a substantial demand of mental health need but it has to be adequately resourced. The first point to make is that GPs are one professional but there is an entire cohort of primary care professionals that can be used and adequately resourced to ensure they can provide mental health supports.

Earlier in the discussion I mentioned the fact that primary care psychology is usually under-resourced and there are significant waiting lists. Ensuring that there are a range of talking therapies for both children and adults at primary care level is one very practical way of enhancing capacity at the primary care level. Other primary care professionals, such as occupational therapists and social workers, can provide support.