Ministers must fix ‘vicious cycle’ of short staffing in NHS mental health care, MPs warn

NHS mental health services are stuck in a “vicious cycle” of short staffing and overwhelming pressures, a government committee has warned.

Rising demand for mental health services has “outstripped” the number of staff working within NHS organisations, according to the public accounts committee.

A report from the committee warned that ministers must act to get services out of a “doom loop” in which staff shortages is hitting morale and leading people to quit the already-stretched services.

It found staffing across mental health services has increased by 22% between 2016 and 17 and 2021 and 22 while referrals for care have increased by 44% over the same period.

Healthcare leaders warned there are 1.8 million people on the waiting list for NHS mental health care with hospital bosses “deeply concerned”.

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Source: The Independent, 21 July 2023