Children’s mental health in Gloucestershire and how long some of our young have been waiting for treatment has been an ongoing problem but it looks like there is some good news.
It is an issue I have raised locally and nationally for a number of years.
Parents come to me with some distressing stories about how their child has been left without support due to the pressure on the system.
Mental health problems have grown since the pandemic and children have seen some of the highest rises.
Lockdowns, isolation, changes to exams have all had their effect.
Our NHS and ministers are working hard on this too. I ask to be kept updated about local mental health waits and the latest figures show improvement.
Prior to the pandemic the NHS told me referrals to CAMHS were ‘relatively stable’. Referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service: 2021-23 saw around a 20% increase.
Now going forward there is an indication of a reduction in referrals to below pre-pandemic levels.
There is a four-week target from referral to assessment for 80% of cases seen by CAMHS. Gloucestershire NHS said 79.8% achieved the target in January.
In addition, I’m told the average median length of wait for initial assessment within CAMHS was 19 days with all urgent referrals prioritised and seen promptly, I was told.
I would like to thank all the staff who are working so hard to ensure the service continues to improve.
It is so important that this happens.
We need to get to the point where there is quick early intervention so that the clinicians can be freed up to treat the more serious cases.
Many more people are saying they have mental health problems but I do not believe it is good to be labelling everybody or medicalising all issues. Stress and anxiety is a natural part of growing up.
It doesn’t mean it should be dismissed but it needs to be supported appropriately.
Doing so means the condition may not become more serious.
To help, I have talked to the brilliant SGS Create team to hear their experiences
. I think finding a special mental health hub style work to support young people would be really beneficial.
I am pleased to be told of progress but please get in touch with your experiences on the ground too.
https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/24261560.mp-says-mental-hea…
