Despite increased access, significant treatment gaps and long waiting lists persist for mental health services.
It is good to see that the number of people accessing NHS funded mental services has increased, from 3.6 million in 2016–17 to 4.5 million in 2021–22. However, this equates to only around one third of people with mental health needs accessing services, with an estimated eight million still not …
Government response. The government's response did not address the committee's conclusion regarding the persistent treatment gaps and long waiting lists in mental health services, instead providing a boilerplate agreement and an update on defining 'parity of esteem'.
HM Treasury