The government has confirmed that the
share of NHS spending on mental health fell in 2024/25 and is set
to fall further in 2025/26.
Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive, NHS Providers, said:
“It's deeply disappointing that the share of NHS spending on
mental health is set to fall next year at a time of soaring
demand for services.
“It's time to give mental health the priority it deserves. For
years national support and resources for mental health services
have lagged far behind what is given to physical health. Lord
Darzi highlighted in his recent report to government that mental
health accounts for more than 20% of the disease burden but less
than 10% of NHS expenditure.
“Despite seeing record numbers of people, mental health services
are experiencing huge increases in demand - considerably higher
than before the Covid-19 pandemic - particularly for services
like children and young people's ADHD and autism assessment
services. Nobody in the NHS wants mental health patients to wait
a moment longer than they have to and trust leaders and staff are
doing everything they can to see patients as quickly as possible,
in the face of extreme pressure and significant challenges.
“Also, many NHS mental health services desperately need more
national capital investment to modernise outdated buildings and
facilities, to give patients safer and more therapeutic
surroundings and to give staff better conditions to work in.
“The government's promised 10-year health plan is a golden chance
to help mental health services keep improving.”
