NSPCC raises concerns over latest mental health waiting times

NSPCC Cymru has raised concerns over the latest mental health waiting times for children and young people in Wales.

Welsh government figures – published this week – show nearly 1,200 young patients were waiting more than 16 weeks for a first outpatient appointment at the end of February.

That’s an improvement on January, when the figure stood at 1,221 but 12 months ago – at the end of February 2015 – just 859 patients had waited over 16 weeks for a first appointment in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

In May 2015, an additional £7.6 million investment was announced for the service in Wales, which provides assessment and treatment when children and young people have emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties.

In its 2016 Assembly election manifesto, NSPCC Cymru / Wales has called for victims of abuse and neglect to benefit from that funding.

It’s Time – the charity’s flagship campaign on mental health – calls for swift action to address long delays in CAMHS.

Head of NSPCC Cymru / Wales Des Mannion said:

“Too many children and young people are still waiting far too long to access the mental health services they need.

“Nearly a year on from much-needed additional investment, we’re still some way from the improvements children and young people deserve and it’s clear there’s still a long way to go.

“The last 12 months has seen a 37 per cent increase in the number of young patients waiting months to access these key services and that clearly raises a number of significant concerns.

“The next Welsh government must maintain investment, ensure victims of abuse and neglect benefit from the additional funding, and cut all CAMHS waiting times.”