PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(9 June 2026)

The Government expects waiting times to reduce over time as reforms take effect. As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, this will be supported by expanding the workforce, improving productivity, investing in digitally enabled therapies, and introducing new models of care in the community, including community mental health centres that bring together services to improve access and reduce delays.

The Department is working with NHS England to improve the measurement and consistency of waiting time data across mental health services, including through the development of measures that will consistently capture when a patient has received meaningful help and started treatment across different areas.

This work will support future decisions on the role of waiting time standards as part of wider service reform. We cannot comment on the specific policy detail in the final Mental Health Strategy at this time, as it will be informed by the Call for the Evidence, the Prevalence Review final report, and any relevant wider evidence.