New Mental Health Access Standards Proposed For Patients And Nurses
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There are a lot of nurses who require mental health support when they start working in their own respective fields. The most common issue that they cite is feeling very isolated because they are too busy caring about other people's needs. That is exactly why we need to ensure that we look after the needs of our nurses. This issue is less common within doctors because, on average, they spend less time with their patients. However, as nurses need to spend more time around patients, they are often left feeling drained of their social energy.
With the introduction of five new waiting time guarantees, the NHS will take a step toward enhancing patient and nurse access to mental health services.
Patients and nurses in need of immediate care will be seen by community mental health crisis teams within 24 hours of referral, with the most urgent receiving assistance within four hours. In addition, mental health liaison services for patients who end up in A&E departments will be expanded to more sites around the country.
These new guidelines are another key step toward parity of esteem, ensuring that individuals who require care are aware of when they may expect it and facilitating more fast access to evidence-based treatment and support.
They will contribute to the work that the NHS is already doing to turn the tide in mental health for a variety of disorders as part of the Long-Term Plan. Thousands of women received specialist perinatal mental health care last year, and advances to our children and young people's services mean that more children and young people are receiving treatment than ever before, including tidal wave therapy.
For an ‘urgent’ referral to a community based mental health crisis service, a patient or nurse should be seen within 24 hours from referral, across all ages;
For a ‘very urgent’ referral to a community based mental health crisis service, a patient or nurse should be seen within four hours from referral, for all age groups;
Patients referred from Accident and Emergency should be seen face to face within one hour, by mental health liaison or children and young people‘s equivalent service;
Since the beginning of the pandemic, a large number of people have developed a mental health condition, and some groups have been struck particularly hard, notably young people, those on low incomes, and people from racialized communities, who have not received early care. With a growing number of people reaching crisis point, it is vital that they receive the appropriate mental health care as soon as possible, which these organisations provide.
Many thousands of people will be left with long term impacts from this period, whether because of bereavement, unemployment, trauma or the weathering effect of life during lockdown. Knowing that the NHS is committed to timely access to support could make all the difference as we emerge from the pandemic and plan for the future.
Thousands of individuals will suffer long-term consequences as a result of this era, whether as a result of loss, unemployment, trauma, or the cyclical nature of life under lockdown. Knowing that the NHS is dedicated to providing timely assistance might make all the difference as we recover from the epidemic and prepare for the future.
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