Increase in nhs cancellations of child mental health appointments | nursing times

More than 175,000 mental health appointments for children in England have been cancelled in the last year as the NHS struggles to cope with soaring demand, a charity has warned. Data

analysis carried out by Mind identified that between August 2018 and July 2019 there were an additional 428,623 appointments made in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHs)

compared to the previous year. > “Too often young people only get help once they reach crisis > point” >  > Vicki Nash However, of those extra appointments, figures showed that

almost one in 10 were cancelled or postponed by the service provider. Overall, there were 175,094 appointments cancelled by the NHS during 2018/19 – a 25% increase compared to 2017/18. On

the whole, cancellations by the health service accounted for nearly one in five of all missed appointments. Head of policy and campaigns at Mind, Vicki Nash, said that despite increasing

numbers of people needing support, no young person should face being “stood up” by the NHS. “Despite mental health problems increasing amongst children and young people, many are simply not

able to access support,” she said. “Too often young people only get help once they reach crisis point.” In 2018/19, a total of 4,708,074 CAMHs appointments were made in England. Earlier this

year, NHS England’s long-term plan promised a £2.3bn investment in mental health services. However, Ms Nash said “political inertia” meant the plan was “at risk”. She also cited a lack of

investment in the NHS mental health workforce and buildings. “With so many young people affected, this is rapidly becoming one of the major challenges our society faces,” she said. Ms Nash

called on the next UK government to ensure that all young people “get the right care, in the right place, at the right time”. Figures analysed by the charity were taken from data from NHS

Digital’s mental health services dataset. _Nursing Times_ contacted NHS England for comment but was referred to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The DHSC has yet to respond.