'Agonising' wait for youth mental health care

About 4,100 children are waiting for treatment, with an average waiting time of 77 weeks

A county's children and young people with mental health needs are having to wait an "agonising" 77 weeks to receive treatment, a report has said.

Those waiting for an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) assessment face a longer delay of 128 weeks.

The figures were shared at a Hampshire County Council select committee meeting, where members were told some 1,650 young people are waiting for an appointment, including referrals made before April 2024.

The Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) data shows that 4,100 children are waiting for treatment.

The service, which is run by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, currently supports about 10,600 young people.

About 3,300 young people waiting for an ADHD assessment face a 91-week delay, and about 330 children waiting for an ASC assessment must wait 128 weeks.

Nationally a third of children referred to mental health services, a total of 270,300, are still waiting for support, with nearly 40,000 children experiencing waits of at least two years.

The figures were shared at a Hampshire County Council select committee meeting

Stuart Ashley, director of children's services, said at the meeting that families were not getting support from the NHS and so ended up in the council's children services, shifting the cost of the service to Hampshire residents.

He said: "It costs millions of pounds. We've been told this is a national issue. I'm not interested in national issues. I'm interested in a Hampshire solution.

"I've been sat here as deputy director for seven years, and as a director for three, and sadly the situation for Hampshire children got worse year on year."

Juliet Henderson, chair of the committee, described the situation as "absolutely agonising" for young people.

Keith Mans, who has been sitting in the health committee for the last 13 years, criticised the lack of cooperation between the NHS and local authorities.

He said: "Hampshire council's taxpayers are paying the bill and the NHS seems to be using the money elsewhere."

Ann Briggs, also a member for 13 years, said the figures felt like "we are letting our Hampshire children down".

An NHS officer responded that children with neurodiverse conditions were being supported even before formal assessments:

They said: "We are committed to work collaboratively to make sure those children waiting for assessment have access to an early intervention based on their needs.

"I'm being honest, the challenge still remains."

Ms Henderson ended the meeting calling for the Integrated Care Board chief executive to be present for future meetings on the subject.