Long waiting times and gaps in crisis support in Cornwall, survey finds
Healthwatch Cornwall is calling for 'immediate action' to improve services in the county
Last updated 7th May 2025
New research is highlighting long waiting times and gaps in crisis support for people seeking mental health support in Cornwall.
Healthwatch Cornwall is calling for 'immediate action' to improve services in the county.
Based on people’s real experiences, the in-depth review is said to highlight the critical gaps in crisis support, long waiting times and the ongoing stigma faced by those with mental health issues in workplace and healthcare settings.
Their key findings show:
- Severe workforce shortages
- Excessive waiting times
- Eligibility barriers to specialist care
- Rural and coastal health inequalities
- Out-of-county patient placements
- Funding and service fragmentation
- Limited treatment options
This research saw two surveys being carried out between October 2024 and January 2025, as well as insights gathered from personal experiences reported online, by phone and in person, data collected by the Healthwatch team during observational visits to health and social care providers and a data request to Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
One participant shared: ‘I was desperate for help, but the waiting list was months long. By the time I got support, I had already reached crisis point.’
To address the challenges, Healthwatch Cornwall recommends:
- Maximising the existing workforce by introducing group-based mental health support in GP surgeries, providing basic mental health training for reception staff and offering flexible working arrangements to improve staff retention
- Reducing waiting times without extra funding by developing structured ‘while-you-wait’ support systems that include digital self-help resources, peer support groups, and check-ins for those on waiting lists
- Improving rural access by using libraries, community centres, and local venues for mental health drop-in sessions, expanding telephone and online support, and exploring subsidised travel options for those attending appointments
- Strengthening crisis support without overloading A&E by training non-clinical staff in de-escalation techniques, expanding crisis helplines and creating safe community spaces for out-of-hours mental health support
- Expanding treatment options beyond CBT and medication by encouraging social prescribing, integrating peer-led support groups, and improving staff training in trauma-informed care and neurodiversity
- Simplifying access to services by standardising GP referral forms, developing a central online directory of mental health services, and ensuring every discharged patient receives a clear care plan
- Making mental health care more inclusive by providing alternatives to phone-based services, strengthening mental health support in schools, and encouraging mental health awareness initiatives in workplaces
- Reducing out-of-county placements by expanding community-based crisis support, working with care homes to provide local respite beds, and improving discharge planning for those returning from out-of-county treatment
Debbie Gilbert, CEO of Healthwatch Cornwall, said: “This is an insightful and hard-hitting report that amplifies the voices of those struggling with mental health challenges.
"Their stories make it clear: change is needed now.
"Long waiting times, particularly for autism and children's learning disability assessments, are unacceptable and leave families in limbo.
"We urge decision-makers to listen and take meaningful action to improve mental health services in Cornwall.”
We have contacted the Department for Health and Social Care for a statement.
Susan Bracefield, chief nursing officer for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, said: “Local people’s voices are vital in shaping our services. The recommendations align with our commitments to keep improving and reviewing the mental health support for local people. As demand for mental health support continues to rise, it is vital we understand, listen and make changes in response.
“We understand that the increased need for mental health support, especially since the pandemic, has led to longer waiting times, which is why we are investing into more local and digital access to mental health support to increase our capacity.
“We know we have more to do, but the impact of the changes we are making are leading to improvements – we now have one of the best access rates in the country for children’s mental health.
“We also appreciate some children still wait longer than we would like, which is why this year we are investing in better access for children’s mental health problems, as well as working closely with our community partners to deliver more tailored mental health support.”
NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly supports the voluntary sector with investment to extend help for individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
In a statement, the Government told us: “This government inherited a broken mental health system but we are determined to fix it, slashing waiting lists and bolstering access to mental health support through our Plan for Change.
“This includes investing £26 billion in the NHS and recruiting 8,500 more mental health workers across children’s and adult services.
“As part of our shift towards prevention, we are providing access to specialist mental health support in every school, creating a network of community mental health hubs and funding talking therapies for more patients.”
To view the report, visit the Healthwatch Cornwall website.