Care pathway to child and adolescent mental health services
Download (PDF 18.45 MB)Summary of report content
This is a report by Healthwatch in Greater Manchester, a group of ten Healthwatch. The project looks at pathways to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
Surveys, focus groups and recorded testimonies were gathered resulting in 1200 responses in total. The views of parents and carers as well as professionals are included in the report.
There are key findings in this report
- Barriers related to waiting times , who to contact, complexity of the system and communication between professionals.
- Difficulty in finding out what support is available and how to access this.
- Parents are key to getting support, acting as a 'driving force'.
- There is a significant impact on families due to the process of engaging CAMHS.
- There was a high proportion of people that considered or have used private services - 80%.
There are recommendations in this report
- Improved awareness of what is available and how to access.
- Clearer information on what the CAMHS pathway is and expectations.
- Equal access to pathways needs to be improved.
- A GM single point of entry.
- Better communication during the waiting period.
- Listening to parents and carers and considering them partners.
The providers have responded to the report.