2018 has been a momentous year for ACP-UK. The foundations have been laid for the profession’s representative professional body whose main purpose is to speak out on behalf of clinical psychology – and it is your support and subscriptions that have made this possible. On behalf of the Board of Directors of ACP-UK I take this opportunity to thank you again for your help over the past year.

As we move into 2019, we recognise that the UK faces many challenges – as does the profession.

Here are just a few examples:

• Whilst there has been a reprieve for proposals to reduce funding for doctoral clinical psychology training, the threat has not been removed. ACP-UK will continue to fight to maintain and increase the number of fully funded trainees in the UK
• In many NHS trusts and services, clinical psychology is barely visible and there is often little evidence of clinical leadership or managerial influence. The general trend is to replace senior clinical psychologists with the newly qualified, creating a flat structure devoid of proper governance, supervision or accountability
• Whilst much has been made in the media of the need for increased funding and resources for child and adolescent mental health, government promises have yet to be substantiated, and there is little or no mention of the central role of clinical psychology in CAMHS and associated need for investment in the profession
• The recent review of the Mental Health Act led by the Royal College of Psychiatrists made only passing and dismissive reference to clinical psychologists: ACP-UK intends to respond robustly to the forthcoming consultation

This is just a taste of what ACP-UK, with your help, needs to tackle in 2019.

On behalf of the ACP-UK Board, I wish you a productive and successful New Year.

Prof Mike Wang – Jan 2019