In 2022, NHSE consulted on new waiting times standards for mental health services in the community and A&E for both children and adults, with most (81%) respondents to the consultation in favour of the new standards. If implemented, these would represent a major extension of performance standards for mental health services. However, NHSE could not confirm whether or when these will be implemented.28 It told us that it is yet to agree with the Government around “trajectories for working towards meeting those standards” which will in part depend on “having the services and the workforce available”.29 21 Qq 100, 128–133 22 Q 103; PMS0027, pages 5–6; PMS0017, pages 2–3 23 Qq 17–28, 103 24 Qq 103, 105–115 25 Qq 13, 88, 98; C&AG’s Report, para 9. 26 Qq 92–98, 27 Qq 13–17, 30, 33–34, 88–89, 98–100; C&AG’s Report, para 2.8 28 Qq 100–101; C&AG’s Report, para 1.13 29 Q 101 12 Progress in improving NHS mental health services NHSE explained that it has undertaken a “huge amount of work” to introduce and improve data collection over the last few years in preparation for the new standards. Stakeholders, for example, the Centre for Mental Health, agreed that improving data systems for the new standards was necessary and would take time. But it argued that this was a “chicken and egg” issue, and that poor data should not stop the standards being rolled out as their introduction would provide the impetus for providers to improve data.30 30 Qq 29,101 Progress in improving NHS mental health services 13 2 Risks to future improvement and sustainability Delivery through integrated care boards