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Call for mental care wait target Call for mental care wait target
(about 1 hour later)
The Liberal Democrats are promising to introduce a maximum waiting time for community mental health care as figures show patients are facing long waits. Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, says people with mental health problems should be guaranteed treatment within 13 weeks.
Data revealed some NHS trusts had waits of more than two years for counselling and psychotherapy services. The party has obtained figures showing waits of more than two years for some counselling and psychotherapy services.
The government is guaranteeing hospital patients treatment within 18 weeks, but it does not extend to community care.The government is guaranteeing hospital patients treatment within 18 weeks, but it does not extend to community care.
The Lib Dems pledge treatment within 13 weeks if elected, but the government said access was already being improved.The Lib Dems pledge treatment within 13 weeks if elected, but the government said access was already being improved.
The Lib Dems quizzed over 100 NHS trusts - receiving 33 replies - about the psychology, counselling, psychotherapy and eating disorders help they provide.The Lib Dems quizzed over 100 NHS trusts - receiving 33 replies - about the psychology, counselling, psychotherapy and eating disorders help they provide.
Three years is too long to make someone wait for help that could transform their life, possibly even save their life Paul Farmer, of Mind 'I walked streets screaming'Three years is too long to make someone wait for help that could transform their life, possibly even save their life Paul Farmer, of Mind 'I walked streets screaming'
They asked the trusts for data on the longest waits they had for the non-emergency treatment.They asked the trusts for data on the longest waits they had for the non-emergency treatment.
Psychotherapy and counselling services had the longest waits with six trusts recording waits of more than two years. Overall, the longest wait recorded by each trust averaged out at seven months.Psychotherapy and counselling services had the longest waits with six trusts recording waits of more than two years. Overall, the longest wait recorded by each trust averaged out at seven months.
The findings, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, come as hospital patients face shorter and shorter waits.The findings, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, come as hospital patients face shorter and shorter waits.
By the end of this year, trusts have to ensure all patients are seen within 18 weeks.By the end of this year, trusts have to ensure all patients are seen within 18 weeks.
But this does not cover community care, such as the mental health services for people with conditions like depression.But this does not cover community care, such as the mental health services for people with conditions like depression.
Private treatmentPrivate treatment
The Lib Dems believe this should be rectified with leader Nick Clegg expected to set out a range of policies on Friday to help people needing mental health treatment.The Lib Dems believe this should be rectified with leader Nick Clegg expected to set out a range of policies on Friday to help people needing mental health treatment.
He will say his party will introduce a maximum wait time of 13 weeks and if that was missed patients would have the right to private treatment.He will say his party will introduce a maximum wait time of 13 weeks and if that was missed patients would have the right to private treatment.
Experts have blamed the long waits in mental health care for the soaring rates of antidepressant drug prescriptions.Experts have blamed the long waits in mental health care for the soaring rates of antidepressant drug prescriptions.
More than 31 million prescriptions for drugs such as Prozac were issued in England in 2006 after an almost continuous rise over the last 10 years.More than 31 million prescriptions for drugs such as Prozac were issued in England in 2006 after an almost continuous rise over the last 10 years.
Mr Clegg will say: "Britain has become the true Prozac Nation. I believe this trend has gone too far.Mr Clegg will say: "Britain has become the true Prozac Nation. I believe this trend has gone too far.
"We must cut the number of anti-depressants prescribed by doctors.""We must cut the number of anti-depressants prescribed by doctors."
Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: "Three years is too long to make someone wait for help that could transform their life, possibly even save their life.Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: "Three years is too long to make someone wait for help that could transform their life, possibly even save their life.
"Scrimping on basic mental health services is a false economy. If someone can't get help when they first need it, their health will deteriorate, and they will require more intensive care later on.""Scrimping on basic mental health services is a false economy. If someone can't get help when they first need it, their health will deteriorate, and they will require more intensive care later on."
But a Department of Health spokesman said: "We are continuing to work towards improving access to mental health services and specifically psychological therapies, where we know capacity is particularly challenged."But a Department of Health spokesman said: "We are continuing to work towards improving access to mental health services and specifically psychological therapies, where we know capacity is particularly challenged."
She said £170m of extra funding for psychological therapies would mean an extra 900,000 will get treatment for conditions such as depression and anxiety over the next three years.She said £170m of extra funding for psychological therapies would mean an extra 900,000 will get treatment for conditions such as depression and anxiety over the next three years.