Less than half (45 per cent) of all trainee GPs received training in a mental health setting in 2015, a new report has revealed.

Mind Cymru, a Welsh mental health charity, said its investigation found that none of the hours spent on continued GP development featured a mental health component.

It said the only mental-health related option available to trainee GPs was psychiatry, which was found in hospitals and focused on non-primary care.

Its study also found that practice nurses were being “let down”. Around 82 per cent of nurses across the UK said they felt ill-equipped to deal with the aspects of mental health for which they are responsible for treating.

The figures are highlighted by a separate study, which found that one in three GP appointments are mental-health related.

Sara Moseley, director of Mind, said GPs and practice nurses were under “enormous pressure and demands”.

“A significant number of patients they come into contact with will have experienced mental health problems, yet many primary care staff tell us they haven’t had sufficient training to be able to deal with them.

“That’s why we’re urging the Welsh Assembly to ensure structured training is in place for trainee and qualified GPs and practice nurses.”