Major overhaul of NHS mental health care to slash waiting times

PEOPLE having a mental health crisis will be seen by a medic in less than an hour under new NHS plans. Emergency waiting time targets could be brought in for the first time for patients most at risk of hurting themselves or others. The most desperate patients will be checked on within an hour and […]

PEOPLE having a mental health crisis will be seen by a medic in less than an hour under new NHS plans.

Emergency waiting time targets could be brought in for the first time for patients most at risk of hurting themselves or others.

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NHS England plans to bring in its first mental health crisis waiting targets[/caption]

The most desperate patients will be checked on within an hour and get a visit from a crisis team between four and 24 hours later.

Demand is at record levels and the number of people registered with mental health services rose from 1.36million to 1.52m between 2019 and 2021.

Around one in six adults said they felt some form of depression during summer 2021 – up from one in 10 before Covid.

And the Nuffield Trust revealed there was an 81 per cent increase in children’s and young people’s mental health referrals between 2021 and 2019, with an 11 per cent increase for adults.

Claire Murdoch, NHS mental health director, said: “The proposed new standards are good news for patients.

“If agreed they will ensure people get timely access to mental health services when they need them most.

“These new proposals will be another key milestone in the journey to putting mental health on an equal footing with physical health.”

NHS England has submitted its plans to the Department of Health after running pilot schemes across the country since 2019.

It said people who go to A&E with a mental health crisis will be seen in an hour and then get a home visit within a day.

Patients who phone up their case workers in a crisis will get a visit between four and 24 hours later, while non-urgent cases will be seen within four weeks.

The NHS said faster care in the community will keep patients out of hospital.

Minister for mental health, Gillian Keegan, said: “Improving access to mental health services is a top priority.”

Paul Farmer, chief exec at mental health charity Mind, added: “Too often, mental health support isn’t there as quickly as it’s needed.

“But with these targets, as well as greater transparency when they are missed, much needed change can be brought about.“