Lack of mental health staffing makes help a postcode lottery

 People with mental health problems face a postcode lottery for help, as analysis shows twice as many consultant psychiatrists are available in some parts of the country compared to others.

NHS Digital data examined by the Royal College of Psychiatrists shows that for every 100,000 people in the North Central and East London region, there are around 13 consultant psychiatrists. But the East of England and Yorkshire and Humber have less than half this number, at five consultants for every 100,000. In Wales, the figure is six per 100,000 people, while in Scotland it is 10. In Northern Ireland, the figure is eight.

The college is warning that the number of students specialising in psychiatry “has all but flatlined”.

A Department of Health spokesman said: “We have started one of the biggest expansions of mental health services in Europe with our plan to create 21,000 new posts by 2021.”