Time for Progress: New Benchmarks for Achieving Meaningful Reductions in Wait Times

November 2007 This report outlines the Canadian Wait Time Alliance's goals for psychiatric access. These goals were developed by the Canadian Psychiatric Association. The suggested wait times for various services are: No longer than 24 hours for emergency psychiatric services following a physician referral   No longer than 14 days for urgent psychiatric services following a physician referral   No longer than 24 hours for a mental health referral Current estimates of wait times for psychiatric care in Canada are 7.5 weeks for non-emergency psychiatric treatment and two to eighteen months for child and youth psychiatric consultations . . .