Patients 'waiting too long' for psychological treatment
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Scottish residents with emotional health problems are waiting as
long as four years for treatment, new government figures published
by Scotland on Sunday have shown, leading some commentators to
condemn governmental efforts to provide adequate support for
difficulties such as depression and anxiety.
Published in October, the statistics indicate that average waiting
times for those seeking help with a range of difficulties such as
stress, depression and anxiety are in excess of two years.
The paper identified Easter Ross as having the longest waiting
times for treatment, where the longest waiting period stood at four
years and seven months. Commenting on the statistics, a number of
politicians and health professionals denounced the Scottish
government for failing to offer more responsive services for those
with emotional health issues.
Mary Scanlon, Conservative spokesperson for health, said the
statistics showed a lack of commitment to tackling instances of
emotional health difficulties, warning that the longer people have
to wait for treatment, the more likely it is that they will begin
to feel undervalued, potentially causing a "downward spiral"
leading to deeper depression.
Meanwhile, Charlie McMillan, director of research, influence and
change of the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH),
described the situation as breaching the basic human rights of the
one in four Scottish people who experience some form of emotional
health issue.
"Following lobbying by SAMH and others in June this year, the
Scottish Government made a commitment to bring mental health within
the 18-weeks referral to treatment target for NHS Scotland. It is
unacceptable that at present mental health is excluded," he told
Scotland on Sunday.
However, a spokesperson for the NHS Highland, explained that the
statistics detailed by the paper would not represent realistic
waiting times for all patients in Scotland as the data related only
to a small sample of people. So too, the representative said, those
with acute emotional health issues will be fast tracked and are
likely to receive treatment within a much shorter timeframe.
The study follows similar findings from several mental health
charities which warned that patients in England are experiencing
similar difficulties in getting access to treatment.
According to a Mind campaign launched in July of this year, people
are commonly waiting six months or longer for treatment, a
situation which it denounced, particularly considering the value of
services such as cognitive behavioural therapy and
psychotherapy.
"The assessment was incredible. I felt that someone finally
understood. When I was told that the wait after assessment was two
years it felt like a real let down, offering a life line and [then]
snatching it away," said one patient, responding to the Mind
study.
While waiting times for treatments are often long, the Improving
Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT), an NHS program promoting
widespread availability of treatment for those with emotional
problems, has reassured residents that progress is being
made.
At an event hosted by the group last month, IAPT announced the
launch of 35 new training courses and services to boost the work of
the 11 Pathfinder sites located throughout England. It is hoped
that by educating more workers trained in psychological therapy,
the new services will help to reduce waiting times and further
improve treatment standards.
The Pathfinder programme was first announced in summer 2007 and
aims to provide improved psychological treatments to a broad range
of groups, including young people, the elderly, new mothers,
offenders and those with long-term conditions.
After receiving initial funding, the IAPT claimed last month that
all 11 sites have made considerable progress in meeting the group's
core objectives, which includes reduced waiting times and the
development of high standardised quality of care.
In its report, the IAPT cites some positive signs of progress to
achieving its key goals, with a typical waiting period of 35 days
seen across the 11 pathfinder sites too. And while patients are
being seen more quickly, the IAPT also reported that 95 per cent of
those on the Pathfinder scheme saying that they had a positive
experience in terms of service and treatment.
For people in Scotland who feel depressed or stressed and are
awaiting psychological treatment, SAMH offers reassurance that with
the right help and assistance, people can overcome their
difficulties, no matter how severe. For those who are in search of
immediate support while awaiting professional psychological
therapy, the group urges people to call either its own telephone
helpline or get in contact with Samaritans.
Scottish residents can call SAMH on 0141 568 7000 on weekdays
between 2pm and 4.30pm for information on mental health issues and
details of places to turn for emotional support and advice.
Samaritan’s volunteers are also available to listen and offer
confidential, non-judgemental support 24 hours a day, seven days a
week to anyone experiencing distress via phone [UK: 08457 90 90 90;
ROI: 1850 60 90 90], email [Jo@Samaritans.org] or face to face
(visit www.samaritans.org to find your local branch).
Meanwhile, Vicki Prout, assistant media officer at Mind, has
explained that for those people living in England and Wales who
would like further support and advice while awaiting psychological
therapy, Mind offers regional support services.
"If people need more help than advice for their mental wellbeing
then they can get in contact with their local Mind association
(LMA). There are over 180 LMAs all across the country varying in
size and services, but lots of them can provide help, support and
in some cases counselling for people experiencing mental distress,"
she commented.
People can find their nearest LMA at http://www.mind.org.uk/Mind+in+your+area/
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