The number of children and young people in Wales who have been referred to mental health services has more than doubled since 2010…
Figures have revealed that in December 2010 around 1,200 under-18s were waiting for their first outpatient appointment. By December 2014, this figure had risen to 2,500.
Welsh Health Minister Mark Drakeford said services were facing an “ever-increasing demand”.
NHS bosses, social service staff, and key players in the sector are set to meet in Cardiff during a conference to discuss the future of mental health services in the nation.
Funding for mental health has been ring-fenced. Furthermore, the Welsh government has increased the budget from £389m in 2009-10 to £587m in 2014-15.
After examining the issue, Drakeford said there were “far too many referrals” to child and adolescent mental health services, many of which did not require specialist services.
He added: “With this goes a great deal of frustration for those children, young people and their families who learned that they have been sent down a route, which will not best meet their needs.”
