Access to work mental health needs to improve. A report by Department of health to improve access to mental health services in 2015. Download it here  DoH – mental-health-access. 

We have made an infographic, outlining the report. 

This report shows what action the government is taking to provide better access to care in mental health services within the next year, including national waiting time standards for the first time. It also sets out its vision for further progress by 2020.

Poor mental health is common, affecting 25% of adults and 10% of children in 2015. The numbers are much higher now, given COVID and the cost of living crisis. 

By April 2015, the following will be guaranteed:

• 75% of people referred to the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme (IAPT), treated within 6 weeks.
• 95% of people treated within 18 weeks
• treatment within 2 weeks for more than 50% of people experiencing a first episode of psychosis

Targeted investment will also help people in crisis to get effective support in more acute hospitals.

 

Summary for access to work mental health

Mental health problems are the largest single cause of disability, representing a quarter of the
national burden of ill-health, and are the leading cause of sickness absence in the UK.

One consequence: people with mental illness die on average 15-20 years earlier than other
people – one of the greatest health inequalities in England.

That is why, achieving “parity of esteem” between mental and physical health services is so
important for the NHS, and for the nation. This document therefore sets out some of the concrete next steps we are committed to
helping lead over the next five years. NHS England looks forward to working with our partners
to deliver this critical agenda.

One consequence: people with mental illness die on average 15-20 years earlier than other
people – one of the greatest health inequalities in England.

Simon Stevens – Chief Executive, NHS England

In No Health Without Mental Health and Closing the Gap, the Government set out its
commitment to achieving parity of esteem for mental health. Timely access to services and
then for treatment is one of the most obvious gaps in parity – whilst there are waiting time
standards for physical health services, for mental health services, these standards simply
don’t exist. This plan sets out the immediate actions we will take this year and next to end
this disparity and achieve better access to mental health services and our vision for further
progress by 2020.

The recent challenges with COVID pandemic and the cost of living crisis have exacerbated to pressure on mental health services. We will be sharing our ideas on how we can make a difference.