Concern raised over lack of NHS child psychiatrists

New figures show that the number of NHS psychiatrists for young people in England is falling, despite increasing demand for services.

The data shows a decline in the total number of psychiatrists working in children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) from 1,015 full-time equivalent posts in May 2013 to 948 in May 2017.

Charity Young Minds has warned that a smaller CAMHS medical workforce could lead to children and young people waiting even longer to receive urgent treatment, with the Royal College of Psychiatrists labelling the decline as ‘deeply concerning’.

A report by the Education Policy Institute thinktank suggested that one in four children and young people referred to specialist mental health services are refused help and do not receive any NHS care, meaning approximately 50,000 under-18s a year are not getting vital help despite their mental distress.

Dr Jon Goldin, vice-chair of of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: “At a time when demand on mental health services is at its most acute, we are continuously finding that the supply is just not there. As more and more children and young people come forward with mental health problems, fewer and fewer specialists are available. The government must show they are aware of the deficit of doctors working in mental health, and commit to a plan to address this deeply concerning imbalance.”