Mental health waiting lists growing year-on-year due to lack of capacity in public system

The HSE Performance Report for January-March 2021 shows that more than 10,800 people, including adults, are waiting to see a psychologist – with more than half of these waiting for over a year. Picture: PA

HSE spending on expensive private residential placements for people with mental illnesses is “growing year-on-year” because of the increasing complexity of the disorders and lack of capacity in the public system.

The health agency said this was one of a “number of financial challenges” facing mental health services, which are also suffering from a “reduced ability” to recruit staff for available posts, resulting in greater expenditure on overtime and agency staff.