GP waits ‘making a psychological well being epidemic’ within the UK, damning analysis exhibits
Long waits for GP and hospital appointments are “creating a mental health epidemic” within the UK, damning analysis exhibits.
Almost 1 / 4 of adults stated their psychological well being was impacted by ready too lengthy to see a health care provider, in accordance with a significant survey of 12,000 individuals. Some 18% reported that their bodily well being had been affected by lengthy waits, which rose to 22% amongst over 65s. One in three who had tried to e book a GP appointment prior to now month stated it was both troublesome or very troublesome to take action.
The Liberal Democrats, who collated the information, are calling for a rescue plan within the Budget subsequent month so individuals can entry the care they want. The quantity ready for therapies fell to 7.6million in November. It was nonetheless manner above final January’s determine of seven.21million when Rishi Sunak made his pledge to chop them.
Lib Dem chief Ed Davey stated “This Conservative government’s failure to tackle agonising waits for NHS treatment is creating a mental health epidemic. Millions of people are struggling to see their GP or waiting months for hospital treatment because ministers have driven local health services into the ground.
“People are being left worried sick because they and their loved ones simply can’t access the healthcare they so desperately need. It is simply unthinkable that Rishi Sunak is now cutting NHS funding, leaving hospitals and GP services even more stretched. It just shows he and this Conservative government are totally out of touch and need to be kicked out of office.”
NHS Providers chief govt Sir Julian Harley stated: “It’s deeply concerning that so many people are not getting the care they need, when they need it. These shocking figures show the detrimental impact of long waits on people’s physical and mental health. Long-term investment in, and support for, prevention and early intervention would significantly help relieve pressure on stretched services.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson stated: “Cutting waiting lists is one of the government’s top five priorities and we have delivered 5,000 more permanent beds as part of the Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery plan, as well as 50 million more GP appointments per year.
“We’re going further and faster to transform our country’s mental health services, with up to an additional £2.3 billion being invested annually from this year to expand services, so an extra two million people can get the support they need.”
