Left Bloc questions waiting times for first psychology appointment in the NHS

The Left Bloc questioned the waiting times for the first psychology appointment in the National Health Service, raising concerns about patients' access to these mental health care services. The political formation expressed interest in learning the concrete data regarding waiting lists for psychology appointments in the NHS. The question arises in a context of growing recognition of the importance of mental health as a fundamental component of the overall well-being of the population. The Portuguese Order of Psychologists estimates that more than 2.3 million Portuguese people need psychological support, which represents a significant portion of the national population. According to the Order's data, one in every five Portuguese people suffers from psychological health problems, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing the health system in this area. This reality places additional pressure on the NHS psychology services, which will need to respond to growing demand in a context of limited resources.