The number of patients waiting longer than 18 weeks

for surgery could double amid the mounting NhS crisis, it was reported this week. While this is deeply worrying, what about mental health? Despite Government claims that they want everyone to view mental illness in the same way as physical illness, there are still no national maximum waiting times for mental health treatment. So while for prostate cancer — which has a mortality rate of about 10 per cent — there’s a two-week maximum wait to see a specialist, for anorexia — which has a 20 per cent mortality rate — waiting times may run to more than two years in the part of London where I work. More and more people with severe and enduring mental health problems are unable to get support. Yet if you have a bunion, you won’t wait more than 18 weeks for an operation.