Mental Health Services: Buckingham and Bletchley

The Department monitors waiting times for NHS Talking Therapies through published monthly statistics and information provided by NHS England and local providers.

For Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies, which covers Buckingham, there has been no clear overall trend in waiting times since July 2024. However, performance against key access standards has remained consistently strong. Across this period, at least 94% of patients started treatment within six weeks of referral, and 100% within 18 weeks. The proportion of patients waiting more than 90 days between first and second appointments has remained low, ranging between 1% and 5%. As of 31 March 2026, 18 people with Buckingham postcodes were waiting for their first appointment.

For Milton Keynes Talking Therapies, which covers Bletchley, performance has varied over the period but continues to meet access standards. In March 2026, 78% of patients started treatment within six weeks of referral, with performance fluctuating between 71% and 98% over the period, and 99% within 18 weeks. The proportion of patients waiting more than 90 days between first and second appointments has fluctuated, ranging between 13% and 38% over the period, with a peak of 53% in December 2025. As of 31 March 2026, 467 people were waiting to start treatment.