In the past three years there has been a 20% increase in the number of children and young people referred to NHS mental health services. To reflect this, an extra £79million has been provided nationally to the NHS to expand children's mental health services in places like Basingstoke.
Local MP Maria Miller said, ‘’I know from regular conversations with headteachers and parents that the increase in mental health referrals and the subsequent extended waiting lists are causing widespread concern. Sussex NHS Partnership – the organisation responsible for children’s mental health support in Basingstoke – have been able to take immediate steps to increase capacity and support children on the waiting list because of this extra money available. These measures include expanding existing services, increasing targeted recruitment and making use of technology so that new digital tools can be introduced.
"It’s clear there remains a significant gap between services available and the needs of our young people and I shall shortly be meeting with the Chief Executive of Sussex Partnership to review the provision of services and plans to reduce the unacceptable waiting list backlog."
Since 2019, when the NHS Long Term Plan was launched, funding for mental health services nationally has increased by at least £2.3 billion a year. This investment has meant that an additional 345,000 children and young people are now able to get access the support that they need.
