NHS England Publishes Community Mental Health Survey 2024: National Qualitative Report

Blog - 17 February 2026

NHS England’s latest Community Mental Health Survey 2024: National Qualitative Report shares patients’ experiences, highlighting what’s working well and where services could improve. Find out the key themes and insights from this national report.
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NHS England has published the Community Mental Health Survey 2024: National Qualitative Report, providing insight into patients’ experiences of community mental health services across England.

The report explores the experiences people share with the NHS when using community mental health services, highlighting areas of progress as well as ongoing challenges. It analyses written feedback from over 14,000 people who received care between April and May 2024, offering a detailed picture of how services are working from the perspective of those who use them.

Key Themes Identified by NHS England

The report identifies several key themes in patient feedback:

  • Positive experiences of care: Many patients praised staff for being understanding, compassionate, and responsive, and shared examples of care that had a meaningful impact on their wellbeing.
  • Challenges with access: Delays in receiving assessments or treatment were frequently mentioned, with some patients reporting deterioration in their mental health during waits.
  • Importance of personalised care and continuity: Patients emphasised the need for care plans tailored to their needs and for consistent, well-coordinated support across services.
  • Communication and coordination: Clear, timely communication from services was highlighted as a crucial factor in positive experiences, while gaps in communication contributed to frustration and confusion.

The report provides NHS leaders, service providers, and policymakers with detailed qualitative insights from patients, helping them understand what is working well and where improvements are needed in community mental health services.

Why This Report Matters

By analysing what people are telling the NHS about their care, the report highlights areas for action, such as improving access, enhancing continuity, and ensuring patients feel listened to. It complements quantitative data from previous surveys, giving NHS teams a richer understanding of patient experience.

You can read the full Community Mental Health Survey 2024: National Qualitative Report on the NHS England website here.

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