Over 2,500 young people left waiting for mental health support in Wiltshire

More than 2,500 children and young people in Wiltshire were not seen within four weeks of being referred to NHS mental health services in the last year, new figures show.

Chippenham MP Sarah Gibson tabled a parliamentary question asking how many and what proportion of NHS mental health referrals for under-18s were seen within four weeks in Wiltshire in the last 12 months.

A response from the Secretary of State for health and social care, Stephen Kinnock, showed that while 43 per cent – 2,900 children and young people – had been seen within the recommended 28 days, 38 per cent – 2,565 – were not seen within the recommended time frame.

Ms Gibson said: “It is deeply concerning that 38 per cent of children and young people referred for mental health support in Wiltshire over the past year were not seen within the recommended four-week period.

“Behind each of these statistics is a young person potentially struggling and a family desperately seeking support.

“Early intervention is critical in mental health care. Delays can lead to escalation, harm, and long-term consequences not only for the individual, but for families and communities, and puts more pressure on an over-stretched NHS.

“These figures lay bare the need for immediate action. It is not enough to acknowledge the problem; we need a properly resourced mental health workforce, increased capacity, and clear accountability for meeting targets,” she said.

The MP called for mental health MOTs to provide regular check-ups for young people, when they are the most vulnerable to the effects of mental ill-health.

“The sooner we can support young people, the better,” she said. “I will continue to press the secretary of state to ensure every child in Wiltshire can access timely and effective mental health care. Our young people deserve better.”

Although Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust is responsible for mental health provision in Wiltshire, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services – or CAMHS – is delivered by neighbouring Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

CAHMS deals with most, although not all, referrals of young people dealing with difficulties and conditions ranging from depression and anxiety to self harm and suicidal thoughts.

Eating disorders, the effects of trauma, and grief are also dealt with by the service, as is helping children with an ADHD diagnosis.

An Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “Like child and adolescent mental health services across the country we have continued to receive increasing numbers of referrals year on year.

“We welcome continued opportunities to develop and strengthen services with commissioners and fellow NHS mental health providers in the county, including expanding our Mental Health Support Teams in schools with the aim to be available to 61 per cent of children and young people in Wiltshire by February next year.” Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.