Mental health services are failing to meet rising demand, according to a new TUC report published today (Monday).
The report – which features new analysis by the NHS Support Federation – shows that in the last five years the number of patients accessing mental health services in England has risen by a third (540,000).
However, over the same period the number of mental health nurses, doctors and beds in the country has fallen.
The research reveals that:
The picture varies across English regions. However, in every part of the country patient demand is outstripping available beds and staff leaving services over-stretched.
Mental health provision by English region
Region |
change in beds |
change in doctors |
change in nurses |
change in demand |
||||
% |
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
Number |
|
East of England |
-35% |
-818 |
-16% |
-134 |
-10% |
-498 |
30% |
+39,867 |
East Midlands |
-15% |
-272 |
-3% |
-21 |
-3% |
-224 |
14% |
+22,664 |
London |
-12% |
-692 |
3% |
+58 |
6% |
+527 |
78% |
+190,195 |
North East |
-16% |
-274 |
5% |
+27 |
12% |
+409 |
37% |
+37,853 |
North West |
-7% |
-221 |
8% |
+82 |
0% |
+11 |
28% |
+77,257 |
South East |
-15% |
-422 |
-8% |
-91 |
-10% |
-692 |
17% |
+41,959 |
South West |
5% |
+69 |
-1% |
-4 |
12% |
+629 |
34% |
+50,425 |
West Midlands |
-13% |
-283 |
-2% |
-15 |
-7% |
-309 |
37% |
+61,778 |
Yorks and Humber |
-2% |
-41 |
-14% |
-88 |
-6% |
-268 |
12% |
+18,935 |
England |
-13% |
-2,954 |
-2% |
-186 |
-1% |
-415 |
+33% |
+540,933 |
Source: NHS Digital
The TUC says the unprecedented squeeze on health service funding and health workers’ pay are key reasons behind the fall in capacity.
NHS mental health trusts have seen their income cut by more than a £100million in real-terms since 2012.
And the clampdown on pay in the NHS has hit staffing levels, with more than 1 in 10 mental health posts currently vacant.
Unions are calling on the Chancellor to use this month’s budget to:
Mental illness is estimated to cost the UK economy between £74bn and £99bn a year.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The Prime Minister promised to tackle the ‘burning injustice’ of inadequate treatment for mental illness. But years of underfunding has created a staffing crisis in mental health services and a huge shortage of beds.
“This month’s Budget must provide urgent funding to the NHS, schools and councils. They desperately need more resources to help people struggling with their mental health.”
- A copy of the report can be found here: https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/Mentalhealthfundingreport2_0.pdf
- The analysis covers all of England’s NHS Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STPs). These are the 44 areas where local NHS organisations and councils draw up proposals to improve health and care in the areas they serve.
- Of England’s 44 NHS STPs:
Want to hear about our latest news and blogs?
Sign up now to get it straight to your inbox
To access the admin area, you will need to setup two-factor authentication (TFA).