No one should wait longer than 13 weeks for mental health treatment (Garston and Halewood Liberal Democrats)

Garston and Halewood Liberal Democrats <info@garstonld.org.uk>

No one should wait longer than 13 weeks for mental health treatment

February 8, 2008 6:18 PM

In a key speech on health service reform today, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg unveiled plans to guarantee everyone suffering from mental health problems a first appointment for treatment within 13 weeks of referral.

The plans were launched as the Party reveals new figures showing that the average time for those people waiting longest for mental health treatment is over seven months, with some people waiting over three years for treatment such as psychotherapy and counselling.

A survey of Mental Health Trusts in England by the Liberal Democrats shows that waiting times vary enormously according to region and type of treatment (see attached spreadsheet for breakdown).

Psychotherapy has some of the longest waits in the country with one area recording waits for an assessment of more than three years. Meanwhile record numbers of anti-depressants are being prescribed, with the number of prescriptions to children having quadrupled in just one decade.

Speaking at The Guardian Public Services Summit this morning, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said:

"When it comes to mental health, the Government's record is one of shameful neglect. Mental health services have commanded less favourable coverage, less government attention, and less money.

"Medical professionals want to prescribe effective, long-term solutions, but in the absence of those solutions it is no wonder record levels of drugs are being prescribed.

"Britain has become the true Prozac Nation. We must cut the number of anti-depressants prescribed by doctors. Medication does have a role to play in tackling mental health problems, but they should not be the default option because of a lack of access to psychological therapies."

Attacking the waiting times for mental health treatment, Nick Clegg said:

"Why is it that our television screens are full this week, rightly, with the suffering of battery fed chickens but silent on the shameful way we treat the mentally ill in our midst?

"The most vulnerable people are waiting scandalously long for access to treatment when all the evidence shows that early intervention is vital.

"I am calling for nothing less than a revolution in how we treat mental illness. Within four years I want our health service to guarantee that no one will wait longer than thirteen weeks for their first treatment. The NHS must deliver that service, or the patient will be entitled to go private."

Pledging to end mixed sex wards in mental health services, Nick Clegg added:

"The Government has promised for over a decade that it will move to single sex wards. But its failure is hitting some of the most vulnerable women.

"Under our plans, every service user will be entitled to safe and secure accommodation that meets their needs, and that includes single sex wards in mental health services."