Therapy access barriers
Long waiting times and accessibility restrictions for vital psychological therapies for mental health inpatients.
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
91match
#30 - Ensure all victims needing counselling and pre-trial therapy can access it.
The Government must ensure that counselling and therapy, including pre-trial therapy, can be accessed by all victims and survivors who need it. We welcome the Government’s funding for Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) but are mindful of Rape Crisis England and Wales’ warning that the demand is for long-term counselling and therapies, which is not receiving as much...
Matched on
terms: acces, therapy
PFD report
87match
John Haines
Mental health in-patients and those under Home Treatment Teams lack access to therapy from a qualified psychologist. Timely access to the Healthy Minds service, an alternative, is also hindered by long waiting times.
Matched on
terms: acces, therapy
PFD report
87match
Arun Viswambaran
The coroner noted long waiting times for IAPT therapy, ranging from 12 to 18 weeks, which may lead to mental health deterioration or disengagement. Difficulties in contacting the IAPT team by telephone were also identified as a potential barrier to individuals seeking assistance.
Matched on
terms: barrier, therapy
Committee recommendation
86match
#28 - Ask Law Commission to publish early recommendations on pre-trial therapy and disclosure of notes.
We welcome the fact that the Law Commission’s project will be covering access to counselling and therapy notes and records. However, we are concerned that, as the Law Commission will not be reporting until summer 2023, victims and survivors could be left without the mental health support they need for longer than is acceptable. We recommend that the...
Matched on
terms: acces, therapy
PFD report
85match
Stephen Kennedy
The coroner identified insufficient access to psychological therapy for the deceased due to internal service structures and long waiting lists, alongside a lack of available inpatient acute beds when needed.
Matched on
terms: acces, therapy
Committee recommendation
82match
#18 - Muslim women in frontline services endure anti-Muslim abuse and face mental health barriers.
It is deeply saddening that Muslim women working in frontline services such as healthcare settings are having to endure anti-Muslim abuse while performing their duties in helping others. Reports of a lack of support from colleagues and employers are also troubling. Anti-Muslim discrimination, harassment and abuse can have lasting mental health impacts. Yet Muslims can face barriers in...
Matched on
terms: acces, barrier
Committee recommendation
82match
#26 - Rape victims fear accessing mental health support due to disclosure concerns.
We were particularly concerned to hear that victims and survivors of rape may feel they need to—or are advised to—put off accessing mental health support as they fear that their counselling or therapy notes and records could be disclosed to the defence or undermine their case in some way. This is unacceptable given the traumatic impact of rape.
Matched on
terms: acces, therapy
PFD report
81match
Rowena Golton
The coroner noted the lack of availability of psychological services within crisis teams and that not all teams have access to a psychologist. Concerns were raised about significant waiting times for psychological therapy, highlighting a need to prioritise cases.
Matched on
terms: acces, therapy
PFD report
81match
Jane Bush
The report highlights delays in accessing mental health assessments and psychological therapy due to challenges in balancing service capacity with increasing demand, and difficulties in recruiting and retaining skilled staff within the Trust.
Matched on
terms: acces, therapy
Committee recommendation
78match
#27 - Jobcentre environments often lack accessibility and welcome, undermining efforts to support claimants.
Jobcentres are not places that people want to go to. They are often run-down and lack basic facilities, including accessibility features. An intimidating security presence can create additional barriers for some. It will be important that when people walk through the door of the new service, it does not look and feel similar to now. Such an outcome...
Matched on
terms: acces, barrier
Committee recommendation
78match
#42 - Improve access to CAMHS and adult mental health services for young people with severe conditions.
The Government must improve access to Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and adult mental health services for those children and young people with more severe mental health conditions and whose education is often interrupted for months or years at a time by the long waits for services and treatment. (Recommendation, Paragraph 161)
Matched on
terms: acces
PFD report
77match
Danyon Chesters
Delays in accessing NHS mental health services led the individual to private therapy, resulting in a lack of joined-up care and information sharing. Concerns were also raised that private therapists have no obligation to obtain information about medication prescribing.
Matched on
terms: acces, therapy
PFD report
75match
Heather Carey
The coroner identified long waiting times for urgent psychotherapy, noting a 24-week wait exceeding the 18-week target due to insufficient funding and staffing. Concerns were raised that an 18-week target is too long for urgent mental health needs, potentially leading to further deaths while patients await treatment.
Matched on
terms: therapy
Committee recommendation
74match
#21 - Ensure NHS provides culturally competent therapy and fund tailored support for Muslim communities.
The Government should set out steps to ensure that the NHS can provide religiously and culturally competent, trauma-informed, and accessible therapy for those in need, including Muslim communities. 52 The Government should also fund local support services tailored to the needs of Muslim communities, particularly those of Muslim women. (Recommendation, Paragraph 97) Tackling anti-Muslim hatred
Matched on
terms: acces, therapy
Committee recommendation
74match
#18 - Publish and implement urgent national access and waiting time standards for integrated care.
We heard that one way to track progress on integration would be through the establishment of national access and waiting time standards. The absence of national standards contributes to inconsistent access and undermines parity with physical health. NHS England should publish and implement these standards as a matter of urgency. (Recommendation, Paragraph 120)
Matched on
terms: acces
Committee recommendation
74match
#1 - Severity gap reveals unacceptable failing in timely access to mental health care
Timely access to mental health care is not just a matter of convenience— it is a matter of safety, dignity, and equity. Delays in care can lead to preventable crises, greater distress, poorer outcomes, and higher costs to the system. The severity gap, where people fall between high and low intensity services, reflects an unacceptable failing of the...
Matched on
terms: acces
PFD report
73match
Janette Insley
The coroner identified a service gap in inpatient psychological therapy due to a lack of qualified practitioners and resources. This resulted in an inability to refer inpatients to a psychologist, and long wait times for community referrals post-discharge left patients vulnerable.
Matched on
terms: therapy
PFD report
73match
David Read
The coroner identified significant delays in Mr. Read's access to the Community Mental Health Team, noting that a re-referral after a cancelled appointment resulted in a waiting time exceeding 16 weeks.
Matched on
terms: acces
PFD report
73match
Patricia Ferguson
Community Mental Health Teams in Nottinghamshire have insufficient clinical psychologist staffing, with many teams having only one or part-time roles, leading to patients lacking access to clinically indicated psychological support, contrary to guidance.
Matched on
terms: acces
Inquiry recommendation
70match
R96 - Access to mainstream mental health services
SPPG must ensure that people with learning disabilities and autistic people have access to mainstream (i.e. the same services that are available to those without a learning disability) mental health services, with appropriate adjustments for their disabilities.
Matched on
terms: acces
Committee recommendation
70match
#42 - Make FCDO security and mental health expertise accessible to local NGOs upon request.
Beyond funding, the FCDO should explore how it might make its in- house security and mental health expertise, particularly at diplomatic mission level, accessible to local NGOs as requested as appropriate. (Recommendation, Paragraph 81)
Matched on
terms: acces
Committee recommendation
70match
#7 - Many FGM survivors lack access to appropriate specialist counselling services
FGM survivors often suffer psychosexual, emotional and mental health complications from undergoing FGM. However, many FGM survivors do not have access to appropriate counselling services, with many FGM services not offering any counselling to FGM survivors and others offering counselling which is not appropriate or tailored for their needs. (Conclusion, Paragraph 27)
Matched on
terms: acces
PFD report
69match
Carole Mitchell
Significant delays in accessing psychology services and a lack of local mental health inpatient beds were identified. The coroner also noted health professionals' reluctance to gather family information due to a misunderstanding of patient confidentiality.
Matched on
terms: acces
PFD report
69match
Michelle Jennings
Lengthy waiting lists for mental health therapy due to therapist shortages, and prosecuting authorities may not fully consider mental health vulnerability when making prosecution decisions. There is no clear national mechanism to share learning on these issues.
Matched on
terms: therapy
PFD report
69match
Alice Litman
The coroner identified gaps in the knowledge, training, and guidance for clinicians supporting transgender individuals in mental health and primary care. Concerns also include delays in accessing gender-affirming healthcare and a lack of mental health provision for those awaiting treatment.
Matched on
terms: acces
PFD report
69match
Isobel Stapleton
Coroner noted mental health practitioners faced difficulties accessing full clinical records, including those from NHS England, and a lack of clinical psychologists for direct assessment and treatment in inpatient and home treatment teams.
Matched on
terms: acces
PFD report
69match
Paul Chase
The coroner identified insufficient mental health, alcoholism, and addiction support, treatment, and therapy for veterans while serving, during intensive combat training, and after release. This includes limited availability of resources, leading to significant wait times for ex-veterans.
Matched on
terms: therapy
GIRFT recommendation
69match
Mental Health Rehabilitation
1.3 All trusts, health commissioners and LAs should ensure timely access to rehabilitation services and introduce local 'access and wait times' data to optimise and monitor. This should include rehabilitation services accessing evidence-based interventions and services, in line with relevant NICE guidance. a Identification of all people who meet the criteria for rehabilitation services, including people with complex...
Matched on
terms: acces
GIRFT recommendation
69match
Dermatology
Improve quality of, and access to, phototherapy for all appropriate patients. a Support NHS Digital's development of a national database for phototherapy b Provide access to phototherapy services at suitable times and venues for people in work.
Matched on
terms: acces, therapy
Inquiry recommendation
66match
R10 - Access to allied health professionals
It is critical for the wellbeing of people with learning disabilities and autistic people that they are well supported by, and have access to, AHPs including psychologists, speech and language therapists (SALTs), occupational therapists (OTs), podiatrists and dieticians. These AHPs need to be well integrated into daily life in service users’ homes and their recommendations, including positive behaviour...
Matched on
terms: acces
PFD report
65match
Graeme Kidd
Concerns included locum doctors lacking access to electronic records and awareness of mental health support teams. Additionally, GPs faced delays in referring patients to mental health services due to mandatory physical checks, and medication advice was unavailable.
Matched on
terms: acces
PFD report
65match
Simon Klineberg
Availability of psychiatric beds, resource allocation for the home treatment team's support threshold, and the management of psychological therapy waiting lists, particularly for high-risk patients, were noted as areas of concern.
Matched on
terms: therapy
PFD report
65match
Amanda Hesketh
The coroner noted a lack of systematic review and individual care plans for patients on repeat multiple analgesics within general practice, alongside difficulties in accessing specialist pain clinics due to long waiting lists. Concerns were also raised regarding GP practices not universally engaging practice pharmacists for patients with complex analgesia regimes.
Matched on
terms: acces
PFD report
65match
James Tice
The coroner identified insufficient availability of beds for informal admissions to older adults mental health wards and a lack of psychotherapy services for older adults in the community.
Matched on
terms: therapy
PFD report
65match
Aleksandra Markowska
The coroner noted insufficient direct and confidential access for British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) patients with pregnancy-related mental health decline to perinatal psychiatry teams, as BPAS lacks direct access and GP referrals are not viable for those seeking anonymity.
Matched on
terms: acces
Inquiry recommendation
65match
88 - Rehabilitation code for CSA civil claims
The International Underwriting Association of London should take the lead in the production of a code for the benefit of claimants who are bringing civil claims for child sexual abuse. The aim should be to produce a code, comparable to the Rehabilitation Code or for inclusion in that code, with the objective of ensuring that victims and survivors...
Matched on
terms: acces, therapy
GIRFT recommendation
64match
Renal Medicine
Ensure home therapy is promoted and offered for all suitable dialysis patients and that a minimum prevalent rate of 20% is achieved in every renal centre. a) All centres to ensure adequate training facilities and staffing for home HD (HHD) and PD, sufficient to deliver the 20% target. (Centres to consult the staffing models outlined in the British...
Matched on
terms: acces, therapy
CQC action
64match
Taplow Manor
The service must ensure that young people have access to the recommended psychological therapy as outlined in best practice guidance and that young people have access to meaningful activities seven days a week.
Matched on
terms: acces, therapy
PPO recommendation
64match
The Head of Healthcare of HMP Holme House
The Head of Healthcare should ensure that prisoners have access to appropriate therapy services, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, following major surgery.
Matched on
terms: acces, therapy
GIRFT recommendation
64match
Mental Health – Adult Crisis and Acute Care
Trusts need to engage with patients and carers to identify and reduce avoidable barriers to patient access to SMI services, as well as ensuring that they have fast-track access to CMHTs and other recognised best practices for referral and patient pathway routes. a Trusts to provide access options such as email, text and video consultations, and other digital...
Matched on
terms: acces, barrier
PFD report
63match
Joy Burgess
The coroner noted that mental health ward environments could be chaotic and unsuitable for patient recovery due to resource constraints, alongside lengthy waits for psychological therapies, averaging one year locally.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
63match
Daniel France
The coroner identified a significant gap in support for vulnerable young people awaiting substantive mental health treatment, exacerbated by long waiting lists for psychological therapies and difficulties meeting urgent intervention criteria. This situation poses risks for individuals at chronic risk of impulsive acts.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
62match
R97 - Funded access to primary care
The SPPG must ensure that commissioning includes provision for people with learning disabilities and autistic people cared for in any facility to have fully funded access to primary care services. These may be provided by LD nurse practitioners/LD nurse consultants. Local commissioning groups (LCGs) should monitor this provision.
Matched on
terms: acces
Committee recommendation
62match
#24 - Jobcentres require deeper integration with voluntary and community sectors to address complex employment barriers.
Many people who use Jobcentres have multiple and complex needs, which can act as barriers to them securing employment. Too often, issues that prevent people from finding jobs go unaddressed. Jobcentres and Jobcentre staff will not be able to address these barriers on their own. If DWP is serious about increasing employment, it will need to look beyond...
Matched on
terms: barrier
PFD report
61match
Michael Worrall
The coroner noted the limited availability of psychological therapy at Avesbury House, raising concerns about potential adverse consequences for patients discharged into the community after discontinuing therapy.
Matched on
terms: therapy
PFD report
61match
David Hamilton
The coroner identified a lack of documentation for therapy selection, unclear triggers for referrals, and limited information sharing among health professionals. There was also no formal process for escalating health professional concerns.
Matched on
terms: therapy
PFD report
61match
[REDACTED]
Sub-optimal delays in accessing IAPT counselling were noted. Concerns were also raised about the clarity and accessibility of electronic patient records, particularly regarding the updating and function of risk assessments and progress notes.
Matched on
terms: acces
Committee recommendation
61match
#27 - Work with CPS to enable urgent publication of pre-trial therapy guidance.
We recommend that the Government work with the Crown Prosecution Service so that it is possible for the organisation to publish its guidance on pre-trial therapy as soon as possible. We understand the Crown Prosecution Service has been waiting on the Attorney General’s annual review of disclosure, but it has now been more than 18 months since the...
Matched on
terms: therapy
Committee recommendation
61match
#41 - Accelerate Mental Health Support Team rollout for 100% post-16 coverage by 2029-30, publishing impact data.
The Government’s pledge of 100% MHST coverage by 2029–30 must be met and must include all post-16 students and trainees. We recommend that Government accelerates the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams with a particular focus on expanding coverage for post-16 settings, which has not kept pace with coverage for primary and secondary schools. In addition to 98...
Matched on
terms: acces
HSSIB recommendation
60match
Transition from child and adolescent mental health services to adult mental health services
It is recommended that NHS England, within the ‘Long-Term Plan’, works with partners to identify and meet the needs of young adults who have mental health problems that require support but do not meet the current criteria for access to adult mental health services.
Matched on
terms: acces