GP waits 'creating a mental health epidemic' in the UK, damning research shows

04 February 2024 , 22:30

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Waiting lists for NHS treatment have increased since Rishi Sunak pledged to cut them (Image: PA)

Long waits for GP and hospital appointments are "creating a mental health epidemic" in the UK, damning research shows.

Almost a quarter of adults said their mental health was impacted by waiting too long to see a doctor, according to a major survey of 12,000 people. Some 18% reported that their physical health had been affected by long waits, which rose to 22% among over 65s. One in three who had tried to book a GP appointment in the past month said it was either difficult or very difficult to do so.

The Liberal Democrats, who collated the data, are calling for a rescue plan in the Budget next month so people can access the care they need. The number waiting for treatments fell to 7.6million in November. It was still way above last January’s figure of 7.21million when Rishi Sunak made his pledge to cut them.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said “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.”

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NHS Providers chief executive Sir Julian Harley said: “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 said: “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.”

Sophie Huskisson