Why are children’s mental health services so hard to access? MPs question experts on improving care
The Education and Health and Social Care committees hold a joint session on the state of children and young people’s mental health services.
Meeting details
MPs will examine support for children at the most severe levels of risk, eating disorder services and barriers to accessing care in community settings.
The first of two panels will include representatives of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, NHS Alliance and an award-winning collaboration of providers in the East Midlands.
The Education Policy Institute estimates that around two million children and young people with mental health needs are unable to access care, either because they had a closed referral or are waiting for treatment, sometimes for up to two years. The cross-party committees have already heard that NHS leaders are having to raise thresholds, leading to young people having their referrals rejected.
This panel may also be asked about the care pathways that are linked to assessments for autism and ADHD, and whether revised national standards and guidance would help improve access.
In part two of this session, the committees will turn to support for children in crisis, self-harm and suicide prevention, specialist eating disorder services, and ensuring care continues past age 18. Witnesses include representatives of Beat Eating Disorders, Mental Health Innovations and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
They are likely to be asked about improving the quality of care in A&E for children experiencing a mental health crisis, and the role of school-based interventions and social media restrictions in reducing the risks of self-harm.