Reports published by the NHS reveal that as more people get in contact with concerns about their mental health, the time of those awaiting treatment is also increasing.
The most recent report from the National Health Service (NHS) from November 2019 reveals that the NHS of Sandwell and Birmingham have almost 13,000 patients in contact with the Adult Mental Health Services.
This is a 160 patient increase since the report from November the year prior.
But what does this mean for those that are currently a part of this service?
This figure also shows that since 2018 the waiting time of treatment for Early intervention in Psychosis (EIP) had also increased with half the patients having to wait more than two weeks for thier treatment.
In a guidance booklet on Implementing the Early intervention in Psychosis Access published by the NHS revealed that those that have signs of psychosis being unable to have access to “effective treatment” are far more likely to struggle in “personal recovery.”
This would then cause them to have a longer treatment process.
These wait times may be due to the drop in medical staff throughout the NHS including the mental health section.
A study completed by the Nuffield Trust in 2019 revealed that there was a 12% drop in the number of nursing posts between November 2009 and July 2019 and that psychiatry training as well as psychologist had been added to the list of occupations experiencing a shortage of staff.
There is hope that by providing the NHS with more funding these posts will be filled and the issues involving wait times can be stopped before they become significantly worse.