This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Child mental health unit referrals rising
The BBC has revealed that referrals to child mental health units from UK primary schools for pupils aged 11 and under have increased by nearly 50 per cent in the last three years.
Responses from 46 health trusts revealed that child mental health referrals rose from 21,125 to 31,531, with pupils having spent more than a year on a waiting list for mental health services at 12 different trusts.
The BBC, who sent freedom of information requests to trusts, also claim that the number of serious mental health episodes is on the rise in a number of schools. The broadcaster found that 191 primary school pupils had self-harmed on school grounds in the last four years, according to responses received from 155 schools.
Bernadka Dubicka, chairwoman of the child and adolescent faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: “These figures are deeply worrying and build on evidence which shows emotional disorders in children have increased in recent years. Services for children have been historically underfunded meaning they are unable to meet increased demand.
"The government's aim to provide mental health support in all schools within the next 10 years will be too little, too late for many children who need that help now."
Latest News
16/02/2024 - 12:56
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has created a new alliance intended to clean dirty air and improve residents' health.
16/02/2024 - 10:44
Two million more GP appointments a month are being delivered for patients compared to the same month before the pandemic as part of the NHS primary care access recovery plan according to new NHS data.
15/02/2024 - 10:26
The Welsh Government has provided innovation funding of £380,000 to support two projects utilising technology in domiciliary care.
15/02/2024 - 10:13
The new Scottish health secretary has met with frontline staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
14/02/2024 - 10:27
The North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) has appointed three new Executive Directors to the Trust Board.
Product Features
UK Building Regulations highlight toxic gas and smoke from layers of paint built up over multiple redecorations as a major cause of permanent ill health or death in a building fire.
Their concern rose with discovery the flame retardant paints most widely used paint along escape routes have been ones which to this day counter-productively use emission of heavy toxic gas to smother flames which rapidly spread along walls if layers of paint delaminate in a fire.
Supplier Profiles
Northwich’s Victoria Infirmary (VIN) Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has enabled more patients
Adveco, the commercial hot water specialist, announces the launch of live metering of domestic ho
Latest Features
Sarah Greenslade, public affairs and communications officer at the British Parking Association looks at some of the problems and innovations in healthcare parking
It’s easy to assume that the comms team is there to handle press enquiries and the occasional social media storm – but the reality is that strategic communications can make a measurable impact across the entire organisation, from operational to financial, when done properly
