Mental health waiting time standards set to bring treatments in line with physical health

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has officially outlined the first ever NHS waiting time standards for mental health conditions, bringing psychosis standards in line with consultations targets for cancer patients.

Patients with mental health conditions which require talking therapies will be seen within a guaranteed 18 weeks, with the majority of patients seen within six weeks.

The changes, which will take effect from April 2015, will be accompanied by £120m of funding to improve mental health services.

Mr Clegg said: “At least 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem in our lives. Whilst I have nothing but praise for the tremendous work of NHS staff, the system is still letting patients down.

“It’s wrong that relatives and friends needing a hip operation can expect treatment within a clear time frame but someone with a debilitating mental health condition has no clarity about when they will get help.

“For years, NHS waiting standards have existed for patients with physical ailments and they have drastically cut long waits. Now we are finally ending the injustice of people with mental health conditions waiting far too long for treatment with the first ever waiting time standards for NHS mental health services.”

Although the majority of patients already receive mental health care within the new six week standard, the formal waiting time standards aims to end regional variations across the country where some patients have to wait for long periods of time before receiving taking therapy treatment.

Patients experiencing their first episode of psychosis will receive treatment within two weeks of referral, bringing treatment into line with NHS consultations for cancer. Evidence has shown rapid treatment for psychosis can improve patients’ chances of recovery and save up to £44m a year in hospital admissions.

Care and Support Minister, Norman Lamb, said: “I want to build a fairer society and that means mental health has got to be a priority for everyone. As well as being potentially devastating for people affected, mental illness has an enormous impact on our economy. That’s why, through these plans, I am absolutely determined to make sure anyone with a mental health condition can expect the same standards of care as they would for a physical health problem.

“I urge the whole health and care system to engage with these ambitious plans to drive up standards so that, by 2020, mental and physical health services will be given equal priority in all parts of the country.”

Speaking after Nick Clegg first announced plans to set formal waiting time standards last week, Paul Farmer, chief executive at Mind, said: “This is a landmark moment for mental health. Today’s announcement not only acknowledges the unfair imbalance that has long existed between physical and mental health services, it is the first clear commitment from Government to take the practical steps needed to tackle it.

“We now need to see these important ambitions translate into tangible improvements for everyone trying to access the help they need.”