Waiting List

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We support:

Over 16s
Living in Plymouth with a Plymouth GP
Common Mental Health difficulties such as anxiety & depression

How to access our service:

We encourage you to make a self-referral to our service if you are:

Experiencing depression anxiety or PTSD.
16+ years old.
Ready to start working on your problems and able to attend regular appointments.
Registered with a Plymouth GP.
Not currently receiving support from other mental health services.

Treatments we offer:

Plymouth Talking Therapies is not suitable for people:

Who are a high risk to themselves or others, such as current risk of suicide or serious self-harm.
Using other mental health services, such as the Community Mental Health Team.
Who have current or severe and enduring mental health needs and as such require specialist services.

Waiting for Appointments

Waiting for an appointment can sometimes feel frustrating or stressful, and it’s completely normal to want support as soon as possible. While on the waiting list for NHS Plymouth Talking Therapies, the team works to ensure appointments are scheduled as promptly as possible.

Each year, the service supports around 12,500 people in the Plymouth area across a range of services, and 90% are assessed within six weeks.

Below is information about what to expect while waiting, how the team will make contact, and ways to make the most of sessions once they begin.

Contacting You

Appointments are usually arranged within 7 days of receiving a referral. NHS Plymouth Talking Therapies will contact patients primarily by text to book appointments.

Occasionally, additional contact may be made by phone or email to gather necessary information.

If no contact has been received within 10 days, the administrative team can be reached on 01752 435419 or [email protected].

Transferring Care

Sometimes NHS Plymouth Talking Therapies may not be the most suitable service to meet all of a patient’s needs. In these cases, patients may be signposted to other services, such as social care, debt advice, drugs & alcohol services, community groups, charities, or different NHS services.

Where appropriate, a professional referral can be made. This may include discharging a patient from Talking Therapies to another service to ensure they receive the right support in the right place.

Waiting Times

Due to high demand, there may be waiting lists for treatment, and exact waiting times can vary. If there are questions about waiting times, the administrative team can be contacted.

While on the waiting list, the waiting list coordinator may contact patients to offer a review appointment or discuss preferences for treatment. Being flexible with appointment times can help ensure patients are seen as quickly as possible.

Appointment Availability

NHS Plymouth Talking Therapies is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, with some evening appointments available until 8pm on Tuesdays.

The service supports around 12,500 people each year. Being flexible about the times available usually means patients can be seen sooner. Evening and in-person appointments are very limited, but the team will always try to schedule sessions at convenient times wherever possible.

It can help to think of Talking Therapies sessions as part of looking after overall health, just like attending a GP, dentist, or physiotherapy appointment. Prioritising sessions and planning ahead makes it easier to get the most out of the support available.

Changes in Circumstances

If your circumstances change while waiting, a review appointment can be requested.

This allows updates on significant life events, changes in symptoms, or consideration of whether another service might better meet current needs.

A review appointment does not start treatment but helps make sure next steps are appropriate.

During the Wait

While waiting for treatment, patients may find it helpful to explore available resources.

Appointments will generally reflect the preferences provided to the waiting list coordinator. Slight adjustments may sometimes be necessary to ensure patients are seen as quickly as possible.

Attendance and Appointments

It is important to attend scheduled sessions whenever possible. NHS Plymouth Talking Therapies will try to offer appointments in line with patient preferences.

If two appointments are declined within previously stated preferences, your referral may be closed.

Any changes in circumstances, contact details or availability should be communicated promptly so appointments can be scheduled appropriately.

I need urgent help now

NHS Plymouth Talking Therapies is not an emergency service

When struggling, it is not uncommon for people to have difficult thoughts or feelings of hopelessness.

We are not an emergency service, so it is very important that you seek help from the right sources if you are having thoughts of hurting yourself:

First Response Service via NHS 111 (24/7 mental health crisis line – select the mental health option)

Valued Lives 01209 901438 (7 days a week 5pm-midnight)

Samaritans 116 123 (free from mobile or landline)

SHOUT – 24/7 text service – (Text Shout to 85258)

SANE 4pm-10.30pm 365 days a year – 0300 304 7000

Papyrus – for young adults 0800 068 4141

Campaign against living miserably (CALM) for men – 0800 58 58 58

Childline – 0800 1111

If there is a life-threatening situation you need to contact emergency services on 999 or present at the nearest A&E department (Derriford Hospital).

For all non-emergency medical/mental health interventions please contact your GP during normal working hours.

Livewell’s First Response 24/7 crisis line provides advice, support and signposting for people experiencing mental health difficulties. If you feel worried about your mental health or that of a loved one or a friend, you can call the crisis line via NHS 111 (select the mental health option). Click here to find out more.

You can also phone NHS 111 for urgent medical problems who are open 24 hours, 7 days per week.