Agenda item

Children and Young People’s Mental Health (Presentation)

Programme Manager, NHS City and Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group to be heard.

Minutes:

The Committee received an oral update from the Programme Manager, NHS City and Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group on the Children and Young People’s Mental Health.

 

The Committee was informed that normally at this stage of the year, the Grand Committee would have received an update on the CAMHS; however, due to COVID-19, the transformation programmes are at a halt on a national level.

The Committee was made aware that Tier 2 First Steps had a reduction in referrals over the first lockdown period, but referrals have been significantly increasing since then and now back to normal levels for Q3. There are concerns, however, that the referral trajectory for Q4 is abnormally high.

 

Tier 3 Specialist CAMHS have seen a significant surge in referrals for Q3 compared to previous years (almost double). Q4 also projected to be abnormally high. The service is under significant strain and we are at a critical point

The City of London saw an increase of self-harm 30%; social problems 30%; 40% depression, low mood/ Anxiety. There has also been a 50% increase in Eating Disorder too, as such as a management support is being provided to local CAMHS services. Furthermore, the School provisions are also being used to make awareness and help facility a critical response in a joint up operation during this surge.

 

The crisis services will now be continuing from 9am to 9pm service, which has now become a permanent fixture due to new provision being available. There is a need to have such service available around the clock due to the complex need.

The Committee was further informed that the significant pressures on Tier 4 beds and paediatric units (NEL activity currently remains within target) Although there have not been any significant increases in admissions to tier 4, there has been a reduction in available beds due toCOVID-19 restrictions, and a slowing down of flow, resulting in longer lengths of stay and fewer beds available for the usual number of admissions.

 

A Member asked how the young people are referred to the system? The Programme Manager, NHS City, and Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group, noted that the City of London has no wrong policy and the young people or anyone else can make a referral, which is then picked up by professionals.

 

RESOLVED that, the oral update be received.

 

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