Wiltshire children waiting longer for mental health support

The percentage of children in need of mental health services seen within four weeks of referral is lower in Wiltshire than the national average of 61 per cent.

This is according to a report set to be presented to Wiltshire Council’s cabinet on Tuesday, October 8.

Divided into the three localities of Marlborough, Melksham, and Salisbury, the data reveals the rate falls as low as 36 per cent in the Melksham area.

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The table shows that the local authority and education services are the largest referrers to the service. (Image: Wiltshire Council)In Marlborough, 52 per cent of children are seen within 4 weeks, and in Salisbury, it drops to only 43 per cent.

This corresponds to an average wait time of 90 days in Melksham, 53 days in Marlborough, and 57 days in Salisbury.

According to the report, the record levels of children referred into mental health services is a national issue which is reflected in the current demand in Wiltshire.

Last year’s NHS England survey on the mental health of children and young people in England found that rates of probable mental health disorders for 8 to 25 years was about 1 in 5.

This corresponded to 20.3 per cent of 8 to 16 year olds, 23.3 per cent of 17 to 19 yearr olds and 21.7 per cent of 20 to 25 year olds.

The report due to be discussed by cabinet states that it is widely accepted and recognised that half of all mental health conditions are established before the age of fourteen and that early intervention can prevent problems escalating.

It requests that the cabinet approve a three-year extension to the jointly commissioned Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) with Bath and Northeast Somerset Council and the Integrated Care Board (ICB), provided by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Currently Wiltshire Council are inputting £518,000 every year into the CAMHS contract, with the ICB contributing £18,341,991.

The report notes: “The CAMHS service is an essential part of the continuum of support for families and it is understood that the current service is not delivering a high-quality service consistently.

“Throughout the extension period Wiltshire Council commissioners will be holding the provider to account and ensure data is reported and performance challenged.

“Wiltshire Council will work with partners to ensure that the full range of the mental health offer is understood and well publicised with children and families to support access to the right level of support at the right time."