Clinician preparing an NHS Talking Therapies session - supporting RTT performance and workforce wellbeing.

October Waitlist Outlook: Supporting the System and the People Behind It

NHS Talking Therapies teams continue to deliver under pressure. This October, we explore how aligned capacity, flexible delivery and strong governance can protect RTT and strengthen staff wellbeing across services.

Overview

This autumn, NHS Talking Therapies services are working harder than ever to balance access, quality, and workforce resilience. The conversation isn’t only about waiting times – it’s about people. Sustaining performance depends on the wellbeing, motivation, and stability of the clinicians delivering care every day.

At HG Mind Works, we believe the answer lies in partnership: adding capacity where it helps, aligning with local governance, and giving clinical teams the breathing space to do their best work.

What We’re Seeing Across Services

  • Sustained demand. Referral volumes remain high, but teams continue to meet them with professionalism and care.

  • Pressure at transition points. Assessment, step-up and step-down areas are where flow becomes most challenging.

  • Workforce resilience. Vacancies and sickness test service continuity – but morale remains strong when staff feel supported and valued.

  • Strong governance foundations. NHS oversight structures are a strength. Our role is to extend that assurance into additional delivery capacity.

How We Work

Our model supports services and clinicians equally. We create additional flow and access without fragmenting teams or overloading existing staff.

  • Aligned governance. Every clinician operates under local supervision and policy. We mirror NHS standards, safeguarding, and reporting frameworks.
  • Flexible capacity. Short, focused insourcing sprints (8–12 weeks) to relieve specific pressure points – without redrawing service models.
  • Specialist matching. ND-trained, perinatal and multilingual therapists integrated into your local pathways.
  • Extended hours. Evening and weekend sessions supported by full administrative and governance integration.
  • Workforce-first delivery. Designed to complement – not compete with – existing staff, helping retain experience and reduce burnout.

Why It Matters

When services feel empowered and clinicians have space to thrive, everyone benefits:

  • RTT performance stabilises naturally.
  • Workforce satisfaction and retention improve.
  • Patients experience smoother, more consistent care.
  • Governance remains unified and transparent.

Expected Outcomes

  • Shorter time to first contact
  • Higher treatment completion rates
  • Reliable improvement (PHQ-9 / GAD-7)
  • Reduced DNA and rebooking rates
  • Improved clinician retention and engagement

Let’s Build It Together

If your service is exploring ways to strengthen capacity while protecting staff wellbeing and clinical quality, let’s talk. We’ll share how our model aligns with NHS governance and supports long-term retention.

Message us for a 20-minute discussion and pilot outline.