Consultation on transforming CAMHS services in Redbridge

2012-07-30 14:21:00

London Borough of Redbridge and North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) have developed proposals to transform child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) for young people living in Redbridge.

A public consultation on the proposals will run until 12 October. If agreed, it is hoped that the joint proposal will improve services for 18 year olds with mental health problems receiving care and treatment in the Hear and Now counselling service based at Broadway Chambers, Ilford and the Redbridge Specialist CAMHS service at Loxford Hall, Ilford. The proposals are to give young people and their families have quicker access to these services through the implementation of a triage service.

The triage service will mean all young people would go through at a single point of entry to mental health services, which would assess and determine which service would best meet the needs of the young person/family, and how urgently the response is required.

Currently, emergency referrals are seen within 24 hours and urgent referrals within five working days. Routine referrals may mean young people can wait up to eleven weeks for an initial appointment before being put in touch with the appropriate service.

The proposals will also ensure that:

• services are provided according to national guidelines; with new developments in Children and Young Peoples Improving Access to Psychological Therapies
• services are provided within the financial resources available and are best value for money

Steve Jones, service manager for Redbridge CAMHS said:

“Referrals to CAMHS can currently be very complex and varied due to the nature of child development, mental and physical health, family and social issues. One of the core functions of a CAMHS assessment is to determine whether the person is at risk of harming themselves or others. The benefits of this proposed triage service would be that there would be an immediate assessment of need, rather than the current situation where ‘routine’ referrals can wait for up to 11 weeks before being seen.”

Steve Jones added:

“In developing these proposals we have looked at evidence of best practice, and worked with local GPs, clinicians and other professionals. We believe these proposed changes will improve the services we provide for young people locally. However, it is important that we listen to our service users, their families and local residents to help us improve our services, so now we would like to encourage people with an interest to have their say.”

 

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