Concern raised over mental health waits in Wales

NSPCC Cymru has warned that more than 1,000 young people out of 18,000 referred to mental health services in 2016 waited more than six months for a first appointment.

Current guidance directs that people referred for assessment by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) should be seen within 28 days.

Des Mannion, the head of service for NSPCC Cymru, commented: “These figures lay bare the true scale of delays in accessing mental health services for children and it's a worrying picture," he said.

"It does seem pretty shocking that we're having some young people waiting for more than six months for their first appointment. That can't be good.

"Investment in these sort of services for children and young people is actually money that's well spent both in terms of outcomes for them but also in terms of preventing them needing further intervention support in their adult lives."

Aneurin Bevan health board said: "We have had a backlog of cases due to us having experienced a shortfall of clinical staff available to undertake first assessments.

"However, since 2015-16 we have addressed this issue with the provision of additional clinical sessions and a successful recruitment programme which occurred as a result of additional investment by the Welsh Government."

A spokesperson for the Welsh Government, responded: "Statistics show that in the 12 months to October 2016 there has been an increase of 16 per cent in the number of referrals to CAMHS, compared with the previous 12-month period.

"Comparing the data from October 2015 with October 2016, there has been a 31 per cent decrease in those waiting over four weeks and a 44 per cent decrease in those waiting over 26 weeks."