WA Health has been appointed by the British Psychological Society (BPS) to engage with government and wider stakeholders on the important role that psychological evidence and practice can play in all areas of policy-making.
The British Psychological Society is the learned Society and professional body for psychologists in the UK. Formed in 1901, it has around 63,000 members and affiliate members across many different professions and academic areas of the discipline. The Society aims to promote the advancement of psychology, maintain the highest standards of training and practice, raise public awareness and increase the influence of psychological research and insight in society.
WA Health will use its extensive experience working with healthcare and public policy clients to advise the organisation, including Talk for Health, Ombudsman Services, the Independent Mental Health Services Alliance and the Cycle to Work Scheme.
Jenny Ousbey, Director of WA Health, said: “We are incredibly proud to be working with the British Psychological Society to help realise their strategic public affairs needs in England. The understanding of human behaviour plays a crucial role in public policy development and we are really excited to be working with the Society to ensure public policy makers have better access to the wealth of knowledge, research and insights psychologists can offer.”
Kathryn Scott, Director of Policy and Communications at the British Psychological Society, said: “Any government serious about improving the lives of the public must ensure that their policies are based on an in-depth understanding of human behaviour. The British Psychological Society aims to ensure that policy makers have access to the latest psychological evidence and that they use it to bring about positive changes to people’s lives. With their political insight and expert analysis, we believe that WA are the right people to help us to achieve that aim and we are looking forward to working with them to maximise the impact of psychology.”