The NHS is set to take another major step towards improving patient access to mental health services with the introduction of five new waiting time guarantees.
The proposals could ensure that patients requiring urgent care will be seen by community mental health crisis teams within 24 hours of referral, with the most urgent getting help within four hours. Mental health liaison services for those who end up in A&E departments would also be rolled out to remaining sites across the country.
The NHS is consulting on the new standards, which have been piloted by mental health providers in collaboration with acute NHS trusts, and are backed by clinical and patient representatives.
See full article here
Source: NHS England, July 2021
CHARM 