Mental Health Waits Invisible Without Targets

Mental health services face a critical need for improvement, with health leaders warning that progress will stagnate without government-imposed waiting time targets. They argue that mental healthcare must be held to the same rigorous standards as NHS hospital services, which already adhere to stringent waiting list benchmarks.

A survey by NHS Alliance indicates that over two-thirds of leaders within the mental health sector are concerned about the current quality of patient care. This concern is amplified by the fact that approximately 1.8 million patients are awaiting community treatment following referrals.

Specifically for children, NHS Alliance is advocating for a four-week waiting time target for mental health treatment. In England, over half a million children are currently waiting for such services, with over 165,000 having waited more than two years, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Leaders within mental health services also report significant financial challenges and increasing demand. Two-thirds of executives surveyed believe their financial challenges will intensify, while nearly all are worried about meeting financial targets. They cite a lack of investment in community mental health services and under-resourced teams struggling to cope with rising demand.