The number of individuals seeking mental health assistance from the NHS is on the rise, with GPs admitting to never rejecting requests for sick notes. Recent figures from England reveal that in January, 2.24 million people reached out to the NHS for treatment, marking an increase from 2.04 million in January 2025 and 1.39 million in January 2020 before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The surge in demand for mental health services, which often entail lengthy waiting periods, has puzzled experts.
A recent investigation by the BBC uncovered that the majority of GPs have never refused to provide a sick note, now known as “fit notes,” for individuals needing time off work. Additionally, new data released today indicates a decline in the overall NHS waiting list for planned care for the third consecutive month, now standing at 7.25 million appointments.
According to Brett Hill, an employment expert at Broadstone consultancy, while the referral to treatment waiting list is at its lowest in three years, the increasing demand for mental health services presents a significant challenge for overstretched NHS resources.
A survey conducted by the BBC involving 752 GPs revealed that 540 had never declined a sick note request, while 162 had rejected at least one. Some GPs expressed dissatisfaction with the current system, suggesting that issuing fit notes should not be within their scope of practice.
In England, there were approximately 7.25 million treatments pending at the end of January for 6.13 million patients, a decrease from the figures at the end of December. Health Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted the positive trend of declining waiting lists and improved services, acknowledging the efforts of NHS staff in providing timely care.
Despite the recent improvements, Nuffield Trust’s deputy director, Sarah Scobie, emphasized the ongoing challenge of meeting treatment targets within 18 weeks. Tim Gardner, assistant director of policy at the Health Foundation, noted signs of progress in the health service but stressed the need for sustained efforts to address delays effectively.
