At this week’s Labour Party conference, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said the NHS is ‘broken’.
With nearly 2 million people currently on an NHS waiting list for mental health support, it’s clear that systems are under pressure and more funding and support is needed.
And whilst we acknowledge the challenges to the healthcare system, we’re concerned that claims that the NHS is broken may stop people accessing vital mental health support when they need it. This can lead to worsening symptoms and people waiting until they reach crisis point, which can take longer to recover from.
Adam Crampsie, Chief Executive at Everyturn, commented:
“If we continue to perpetuate the narrative that everything is broken, we risk eroding trust in our services. People may come to expect failure or, worse, avoid seeking care altogether, leading to even poorer outcomes.
“This perspective doesn’t always reflect reality. Every day, exceptional care is being delivered across the NHS and with partners, often under extremely challenging conditions.”
At Everyturn Mental Health, we believe we need a more balanced conversation. We must use language that uplifts and supports our dedicated teams, while acknowledging the urgent need for bold action and transformative change in a system under immense pressure.
We look forward to working with our local MPs of all parties to develop and deliver the mental health support our communities need, to make sure no one struggles alone.
