Cornish Communities in Focus: evolving voices in mental health
Download (PDF 1.39 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Cornwall undertook an in-depth review of Cornwall's mental heath services , identifying key challenges, gaps in provision, what is working well and opportunities for improvement. They undertook a survey, used feedback, enter and view and data from the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Altogether they spoke to 514 people.
Key findings
Severe Workforce Shortages: Cornwall faces a severe shortage of Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) in GP surgeries, with only 19 currently employed by CPFT—far below the target of 46-leading to inconsistent access to early mental health support.
Excessive Waiting Times: Individuals seeking neurodivergent assessments face some of the longest delays in the country, with waiting times of up to 11 years for adult autism diagnoses and six years for ADHD assessments.
Barriers to Specialist Care: Despite 30,000 referrals to specialist services, many individuals are denied care due to restrictive eligibility criteria.
Rural and Coastal Health Inequalities: Geographic isolation, limited crisis services, and transportation barriers create disparities in access to mental health care.
Out-of-County Placements: A shortage of local specialist inpatient facilities forces many patients—especially those with complex conditions—to seek care outside Cornwall, disrupting continuity of care and increasing pressure on families.
Funding and Service Fragmentation: A shift in funding from NHS services to voluntary sector organisations raises concerns about sustainability, specialist expertise, and the risk of service fragmentation.
Limited Treatment Options: Many service users feel that current approaches rely too heavily on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and medication, with limited access to alternative therapies tailored to individual needs.
Conclusion: Cornwall’s mental health services face significant challenges, but targeted improvements in resource use, service integration, and early intervention can create a more accessible, coordinated, and sustainable system for all residents.