The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) has reported a significant increase in the number of people awaiting mental health assessments, with waiting lists growing from 6,700 in December 2021 to 11,600 by December 2024. Rising demand for services such as ADHD, autism, and eating disorder assessments has been highlighted as a key factor. A report to county councillors this week noted the challenge of managing this surge while maintaining timely patient care.

CPFT stated that, despite the rise, its waiting list figures remain below the regional average. However, eating disorder services have been particularly strained, receiving 138 referrals per month and struggling to meet targets due to poor referral details and difficulties contacting patients to arrange appointments. The trust has also faced ongoing delays in discharging mental health patients, with an average of 14 patients each month ready to leave hospital but unable to do so promptly.

In addition to tackling waiting lists, CPFT is focusing on suicide prevention and improving processes for learning from deaths. While its overall Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating is "good," adult mental health services were rated as "requires improvement" in December. The trust is taking these findings seriously, implementing initiatives to address shortcomings.

Newly appointed Chief Executive Steve Grange is set to outline CPFT’s future strategy amid financial pressures, including an annual deficit of £7.23m, exceeding the planned £4.07m. The trust’s priorities and challenges, including service delivery and financial stability, will be discussed in this week’s meeting.