Mental health: a progress review

Since their last report on local mental health services in 2023, Healthwatch have continued to receive feedback about people's experiences.

The report finds that many of the serious problems identified in 2023 remain unresolved. Although some operational changes have been made, people’s overall experiences of mental health services in York have changed very little. Healthwatch York concludes that the recommendations from the Breaking Point report have not been demonstrably acted upon and that many vulnerable people continue to experience poor outcomes.

Crisis care

Access to crisis care has improved in one respect, as NHS 111 option 2 is now the main route for mental health crisis support. This change has reduced the time people wait for their calls to be answered, and some feedback indicates that initial contact is now quicker.

However, the quality of support provided after people reach the crisis team remains a major concern. Many individuals report dismissive, judgemental, or harmful responses when they are feeling suicidal or in severe distress. People describe being given simplistic advice, feeling blamed for their mental health condition, or being told that services cannot help them. Those with complex needs, substance misuse issues, or long-term conditions often feel excluded or inadequately supported. Voluntary sector organisations also report being left to support people in crisis despite not being equipped to do so. Overall, the report concludes that quicker access has not resulted in consistently safe, compassionate, or effective crisis care.

Addiction and dual diagnosis services

Feedback about addiction services highlights an ongoing lack of effective support for people with co‑existing mental health and substance misuse issues. Although Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust introduced a dual diagnosis policy in late 2023, the report finds little evidence that this has translated into consistent improvements for service users.

People with alcohol or drug dependence frequently report being denied mental health support unless their substance use is reduced, without clear guidance on what is considered acceptable or achievable. Others describe being passed between mental health services and addiction services with no service taking overall responsibility for their care. The system is described as difficult to navigate and fragmented, leaving individuals without coordinated support despite high levels of risk and need.

Inpatient care at Foss Park Hospital

Feedback about Foss Park Hospital continues to raise serious concerns. People describe unsafe environments, poor safeguarding, limited therapeutic activity, and staff appearing unavailable or dismissive. Several accounts highlight discharges that are perceived as premature and lacking adequate safety planning. Some individuals also report poor coordination between mental and physical healthcare during inpatient stays.

The report notes that there are examples of positive care at Foss Park, particularly for older patients and for people with dementia. However, these accounts do not offset the wider concerns, which closely reflect those raised in 2023.

Waiting times

Long waiting times continue to be one of the most persistent and damaging issues within York’s mental health system. People report waiting months or years for assessments, therapy, diagnoses, and follow‑up care. Delays affect access to talking therapies, trauma‑focused interventions such as EMDR, community mental health support, CAMHS, and neurodevelopmental assessments.

The report highlights that prolonged waits often lead to deterioration in mental health, increased likelihood of crisis, and greater reliance on emergency services. Some individuals and families feel forced to seek private care at significant personal financial cost, exacerbating inequality in access to support.

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Broader mental health services and community support

Feedback about broader mental health services indicates a system under severe strain, with limited preventative support and few options for people whose needs do not meet crisis thresholds. Many people describe services as fragmented, inflexible, and difficult to navigate, with responsibility repeatedly shifted between GPs, community teams, and voluntary organisations.

Community Mental Health Teams are reported to be overwhelmed, leading to reduced levels of support, short‑term interventions, and frequent discharges despite ongoing need. People with long-term or complex conditions often feel that services prioritise risk management over holistic care and that relationships with practitioners are rushed and impersonal.

The report also identifies a heavy reliance on the voluntary sector to fill gaps in statutory provision. While voluntary organisations provide valuable support, they are often asked to manage levels of need and risk beyond their remit, without sustainable funding or clinical backup.

Children and young people’s mental health services

Families report particularly poor experiences with Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Waiting times are described as extremely long, even for children who are self-harming, suicidal, or experiencing severe anxiety, trauma, or neurodevelopmental needs. Parents frequently describe feeling dismissed, unsupported, and left to manage risk alone.

Transition from CAMHS to adult services remains a major point of failure, with many young people experiencing a sudden loss of support when they turn 18. The lack of early intervention and continuity of care is reported to have significant long‑term consequences for education, wellbeing, and family stability.

Overall conclusion

Healthwatch York concludes that, despite some operational improvements, mental health services in York continue to fall short of meeting the needs of many residents. Problems relating to crisis care, addiction and dual diagnosis, waiting times, and wider community provision remain entrenched. The report calls for urgent, system‑wide action to develop a more integrated, preventative, and compassionate mental health system that addresses the full spectrum of need, from early support through to care for people with complex and long‑term conditions.