First reported 31 Jan 2014•Latest report 4 Mar 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes excessive or unsafe waiting times within NHS mental health services, including delays in referral assessment, waiting-list prioritisation, psychological therapy, psychotherapy or other necessary mental health treatment, where the report identifies the delay as a safety concern.
Not included
Excludes waiting times for non-mental-health services such as elective surgery, endoscopy, cardiology or emergency-department assessment.
Excludes generic staffing, bed-capacity, funding or escalation deficiencies unless they are explicitly tied to excessive waiting times within NHS mental health services.
Excludes failures in communication, assessment, referral handling or treatment quality that do not involve excessive access delays.
Reports
33
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
37
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
77
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Department of Health and Social Care18
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board8
NHS England5
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust3
North East London NHS Foundation Trust2
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust2
Academy of Medical Royal Colleges1
Aneurin Bevan University LHB1
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust1
Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust1
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust1
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust1
Cambridgeshire County Council1
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Local Health Board1
Department for Education1
Ministerial department18
NHS trust14
Integrated care board9
Executive non-departmental public body5
Healthcare site2
Local health board2
Clinical commissioning group1
Devolved government1
English county council1
Health professional body1
Health-system partnership1
Independent healthcare provider1
Professional body1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Delays in accessing appropriate mental health services and receiving support
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.8
Action
Introduce mental health access and waiting-time standards, including standards for early psychosis intervention and psychological therapies.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 March 2020.
Action
Test and roll out comprehensive adult and children’s mental health waiting-time standards.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 March 2020.
Action
Expand access to talking and psychological therapies through the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 10 March 2020.
Action
Ensure additional adults and older adults can access NICE-approved Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services by 2023/24.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 March 2020.
Action
Implement emergency mental health waiting-time targets from 2020/21, aligned with emergency physical-health targets.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 March 2020.
Action
Establish round-the-clock community mental health crisis services in every local health service by 2021, with self-referral for escalating needs.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 March 2020.
Action
Allocate national funding to transform urgent and emergency mental health care and provide alternative provision, including safe havens and crisis cafes.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 March 2020.
Action
Provide additional funding from 2021 to further strengthen urgent and emergency mental health crisis services.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 March 2020.
East London
Concerns raised1
Delays in access to psychotherapy treatment
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.10
Action
Implement additional BIT pathway programmes, including group sessions and structured psychological interventions, within the AABIT service offer.
Stated by North East London NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 December 2019.
Action
Consult on and integrate the B&D MAP Specialist Psychological Service into BDAABIT as a single multidisciplinary service with clear pathways.
Stated by North East London NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 December 2019.
Action
Review panel processes and internal referral points between AABIT and specialist psychological services.
Stated by North East London NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 December 2019.
Action
Use zoning meetings to verify completion of psychological-intervention actions and escalate outstanding clinical actions to case-holders.
Stated by North East London NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 December 2019.
Action
Assess needs and risks of patients waiting more than 18 weeks and identify additional support required while they remain on the waiting list.
Stated by North East London NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 December 2019.
Action
Add MAP waiting-list times to the Trust risk register and monitor them monthly across mental health services.
Stated by North East London NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 December 2019.
Action
Develop the multidisciplinary team function alongside the referral pathway to identify psychological interventions and reduce higher-intensity referrals.
Stated by North East London NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 December 2019.
Action
Review and collate outstanding vacancies across BDAABIT and Psychosis teams and service disciplines.
Stated by North East London NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 December 2019.
Action
Review monthly 18-week waiting reports and develop a time-tracked plan to monitor the maximum wait through divisional business meetings.
Stated by North East London NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 December 2019.
Action
Prepare a psychological-services demand and capacity report and present an improvement plan to commissioners detailing service gaps.
Stated by North East London NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 13 December 2019.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Delays in accessing NHS mental health services
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Expand IAPT services to increase access to psychological therapies for people with common mental health problems.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 9 June 2019.
Action
Invest in IAPT and expand community mental health services and access to psychological interventions in community and primary care.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 June 2019.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Local NHS bodies are responsible for commissioning psychological therapy services to meet their populations’ needs.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Inappropriate waiting-time target for urgent psychotherapy
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.6
Action
Complete the review of access and quality in psychological therapy services for people with complex mental health needs.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board and Tameside Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 May 2019.
Action
Develop a new psychological therapy model for people with complex mental health needs in Tameside and Glossop.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board and Tameside Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 May 2019.
Action
Provide £271,000 of additional funding to increase access to psychological therapies during 2018/19.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board and Tameside Borough CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 24 May 2019.
Action
Increase annual funding for psychological therapies by £673,000 by 2021.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board and Tameside Borough CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 24 May 2019.
Action
Make funding available to test new community mental health care models and improve timely access to psychological therapies for people with severe mental illness.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 May 2019.
Action
Invest £600,000 recurrently to improve staffing on Tameside Hospital inpatient mental health wards.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board and Tameside Borough CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 24 May 2019.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Local commissioners and providers are responsible for taking firm action to address the concerns and failings identified.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Unavailability of timely psychological services due to internal service structures and waiting lists
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Formalise distinct community mental-health treatment pathways through the 2019/20 Service Development and Improvement Plan.
Stated by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care BoardStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 May 2019.
Action
Establish clinical psychology capacity within every Home Treatment Team.
Stated by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 May 2019.
Action
Develop a community-based Severe Mental Illness offer including psychological therapies, physical healthcare, employment support, personalised care and related support.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 May 2019.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Local NHS organisations are responsible for providing mental health services, while NHS England commissions specialised services.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Excessive waiting times for IAPT therapy
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin
Concerns raised1
Delays in access to IAPT counselling
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Redesign IAPT counselling as a locality-based model with increased capacity and flexibility to respond to demand and staffing changes.
Stated by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 31 May 2024.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Failure of escalation mechanisms to enable early action on excessive CBT waiting lists
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Manchester North
Concerns raised1
Delays in access to Healthy Minds due to long waiting times
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Commission and mobilise a Primary Care Mental Health Pathway to prepare service users for therapy and support recovery performance.
Stated by Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning GroupStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 15 February 2018.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide timely and appropriately urgent access to a mental health bed
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Work closely with CANDI to assist its investigation, action-plan development and implementation to prevent similar incidents.
Stated by Royal Free London NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 1 October 2017.
Action
Complete a serious incident review examining the sequence of events and contributory factors in the case.
Stated by North London NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 1 October 2017.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
CANDI, which employs and manages the Mental Health Liaison service, must substantively address the concerns.
Stated by Royal Free London NHS Foundation TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Bed allocation urgency was assessed against clinical risk and safety, with priority given to patients not in places of safety.
Stated by North London NHS Foundation TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Pin
Get email alerts
Request correction
Includes excessive or unsafe waiting times within NHS mental health services, including delays in referral assessment, waiting-list prioritisation, psychological therapy, psychotherapy or other necessary mental health treatment, where the report identifies the delay as a safety concern.
