Thousands of people faced waiting more than three months for NHS psychological care in North Somerset and the surrounding area.
Charity Mind has warned excessive periods between sessions can impact on people’s recovery from mental health conditions.
NHS Digital figures reveal 3,120 people in the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area waited months for second therapy appointments between February 2018 and January 2019.
A further 4,355 people faced delays between 28 and 90 days and 28 per cent of patients had their second treatment session within 12 months.
Head of health policy at Mind, Geoff Heyes, said: “We find these figures really worrying and this can have a hugely detrimental impact on people’s recovery.”
An NHS England spokesman said: “Waiting time targets for referrals have been met and exceeded the national standards.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here