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"Three-year wait for mental health counsellors across UK"
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
We were talking about this in chat....
(Article here)
Any views on this?
There aren't many (any?) areas of healthcare where a 3 year wait would be acceptable, and I think it is time that perhaps mental health is seen in the same way as other physical problems, i.e. things can get worse if left untreated.
I think that considering a lot of people start to get symptoms at a young age, improvements to these services should really be prioritised. I understand cuts are being made in all areas, but I think early intervention by improving services would save money, but more importantly, lives.
(Article here)
Any views on this?
There aren't many (any?) areas of healthcare where a 3 year wait would be acceptable, and I think it is time that perhaps mental health is seen in the same way as other physical problems, i.e. things can get worse if left untreated.
I think that considering a lot of people start to get symptoms at a young age, improvements to these services should really be prioritised. I understand cuts are being made in all areas, but I think early intervention by improving services would save money, but more importantly, lives.
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Comments
I think you are right when you say it isn't taken as seriously as it should be, and when it is then a lot of things should start falling into place a lot easier.
It wasn't an accident that waiting times for GPs and COnsultant treatments dropped from approx 2 years (just to see a Cons) in 1997 to treatment within 18 weeks today. Investment in services, investment in the people who make such changes a reality. That's both clinicians and managers.
It also needs to have targets applied (as is the case in the IAPT programme for counselling) because they do actually focus minds on what can be achieved.
Ain't gonna happen in this economy. Not unless the worried well stop clogging up other services and spending the funds which are already in the health economy.
personally i am outraged.
Do you think 18 weeks is an acceptable time? What kind of consultant treatments is that for? Are they working to make that even shorter? (Just curious, not digging)
If I'm honest then I'd say that it;s now a case of poor inefficient system management that causes the delays in treatment. There's more than enough capacity to treat quicker.
And, FYI, that's is 18 week from referral to any intial treatment - but target is England only. It's different in Wales and Scotland (longer) and that's the price they pay for free prescriptions.