Cambridgeshire’s National Health Service (NHS) has raised alarms over the growing number of people waiting for mental health services, with a significant increase in both adult and children’s mental health referrals in recent months.
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT), which manages a wide range of services including mental health, physical health, and specialist care, acknowledged ongoing challenges in managing waiting lists. CEO Steve Grange described a “meteoric rise” in referrals, particularly for services such as ADHD and autism.
A recent report presented to the CPFT Board on March 26 revealed concerning trends, showing the number of individuals awaiting care continues to climb despite concerted efforts to reduce wait times. As of December, the adult ADHD waiting list stood at 7,017, reflecting a 26% increase since the start of the year. The adult autism waiting list saw a similar rise, with a 29% increase, totaling 2,276 individuals waiting for services.
While the overall adult mental health waiting list—excluding ADHD and autism—saw a slight reduction, the report noted that 3,027 individuals were still waiting for treatment at the end of December.
Children’s mental health services have also been under increasing strain, with 1,723 children waiting for an assessment and 2,403 awaiting treatment by January. The CPFT also reported a surge in referrals for ADHD services for children, as well as an increase in the learning disability services waiting list, which is now higher than in previous years.
Holly Sutherland, CPFT’s Chief Operating Officer, acknowledged the challenges, citing progress in adult mental health services but recognizing that the increase in referrals for ADHD and autism services remains a significant issue. The Trust is in ongoing discussions with the Integrated Care Board to find solutions to manage the growing demand.
Professor Ed Bullmore, a non-executive director of the Trust, also noted the “stratospheric” rise in referrals for ADHD and autism services. He highlighted the long waits for paediatric services, including a concerning 76-week wait for community paediatrics, which he described as unacceptable, particularly for children.
The report also raised concerns about people with learning disabilities facing longer waits for support. Trust Chair Eileen Milner emphasized the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which she noted disproportionately impacted individuals with learning disabilities. Milner pointed out that many of these individuals have been slow to return to services following the pandemic, and the growing waiting lists are exacerbating their challenges.
“We are seeing the consequences of the pandemic in this community, and the prolonged waits are further compounding the difficulties they face,” said Milner.
In response to these concerns, Sutherland highlighted efforts led by the Integrated Care Board to streamline children’s neurodevelopmental services. The aim is to allow children and their families to attend a single appointment to see multiple specialists, reducing the need for numerous visits to separate clinics. This initiative, she hopes, will alleviate some of the pressure on families while preventing future issues in adulthood.
Professor Bullmore expressed optimism that this approach would make a significant difference, citing examples of families already struggling with the multiple clinic visits required for children with learning disabilities.
The CPFT and NHS authorities continue to work on finding solutions to address the growing demand for mental health services, with an emphasis on improving access and reducing waiting times for those most in need.
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