Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Acknowledged
In 2021, a NHS survey showed nearly 1 in 5 of 6- to 16-year-olds in...
Conclusion
In 2021, a NHS survey showed nearly 1 in 5 of 6- to 16-year-olds in England had a probable mental health disorder. The survey also found that almost 40% had experienced a deterioration in mental health since 2017 and 13.5% of 11- to 16-year-olds felt their lives had been made ‘much worse’ by COVID-19 restrictions. Some children with mental health issues are having to wait a very long time to start treatment. In 2020–21 the average waiting time for children to start treatment for their mental health at different health bodies issues ranged from 6 days to 81 days, with more than 22,000 (5%) of children and young people waiting more than 12 weeks.43 The proportion of adolescents known to be in contact with secondary mental health services is far greater for girls than for boys (Figure 1).44 For example, 18% of 16- year-old-girls are in contact with mental health services, compared to 11% for boys. The Department for Education told us that the prevalence of eating disorders had increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly amongst young girls.45 Figure 1 – Proportion of population known to be in contact with secondary mental health services by gender and age group in England, 2020–21 NOTES
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's concern about waiting times for children's mental health support and the high proportion of adolescent girls seeking help, referring to NHS England's consultation and guidance on waiting time standards.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
5: PAC conclusion: We are extremely concerned about the waiting time for children to receive support for mental health issues and about the proportion of adolescent girls seeking help. 5: PAC recommendation: Government should report back to the Committee within six months on progress on the implementation of access standards for community and A&E mental health care. 5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 5.2 In summer 2021, NHS England consulted on the potential to introduce five new waiting time standards as part of its Clinically-led Review of NHS Access Standards. All proposed standards and recommendations have been piloted since May 2019 and build on the transformation of services set out in the NHS Long Term Plan. These are: • For an ‘urgent’ referral to a community based mental health crisis service, a patient should be seen within 24 hours from referral, across all ages; • For a ‘very urgent’ referral to a community based mental health crisis service, a patient should be seen within four hours from referral, for all age groups; • Patients referred from Accident and Emergency should be seen face to face within one hour, by mental health liaison or children and young people’s equivalent service; • Children, young people and their families/carers presenting to community-based mental health services, should start to receive help within four weeks from referral; and • Adults and older adults presenting to community-based mental health services should start to receive help within four weeks from referral. 5.3 In February 2022, NHS England published the outcomes of its consultation on the potential to introduce five new access and waiting time standards for mental health services as part of its clinically-led review of NHS Access Standards. 5.4 In terms of progress, NHS England has recently shared and promoted guidance with its local system partners to consistently report waiting times to support the development of a baseline position. NHS England is developing implementation proposals for consideration by the government.