Response to CQC Review of CYPMH Services

Welcoming CQC’s Phase One review of children and young people’s mental health services, Kathy Roberts, Chief Executive of Association of Mental Health Providers said:

“The publication of this report is an important step in addressing the failings of children and young people’s mental health services, described as a “complex and fragmented” system. At a time of growing demand, variability in quality of care and poor accessibility for children and young people is simply not good enough and must be addressed. We know that around half of all people who have mental health conditions at a point in their life will experience their first symptoms before the age of 14, and for this reason alone, it is essential that appropriate and early interventions are developed for children and young people and this ‘postcode lottery’ of service provision comes to an end.

“We also know that there are specialist CAMHS that are providing high-quality care and support in the local communities with 80% of inpatient services and 68% of specialist community services rated as good or outstanding. As highlighted in the report, this good and outstanding care has been visible most where collaboration between services to support young people is taking place and so, we emphasise the importance of the VCSE sector in mental health service provision, alongside the NHS.

“We are pleased to have contributed to this report through the Expert Advisory Group, and will continue to do so through to the publication of the final report in Spring 2018.”

ENDS

For more information, please contact Dania Hanif, Policy and Communications Lead, on dania@amhp.org.uk or call 020 7766 7496

Notes

[1] The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. CQC make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, caring, well-led and responsive care, and they encourage care services to improve. CQC monitor, inspect and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety and publish what they find to help people choose care.

[2] Review of Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services: Phase One Report, Care Quality Commission, October 2017

[3] For further information about CQC’s review of CYPMH services in England please visit the following page www.cqc.org.uk/cypmh-phase1

[4] Estimates from the Department of Health suggest that mental health conditions affect approximately one in 10 children. However, these figures are drawn from a survey conducted in 2004, which looked only at people aged 5 to 15 years, so this is likely to underestimate the current position for children and young people of all ages.

[5] CQC’s thematic review was announced by the Prime Minister in January 2017.