Children's mental health referrals for trust covering Wyre Forest doubles in five years

One child had to wait more than two years for their first appointment and the average waiting time for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust is above the national average.

Data obtained by Medical Negligence Assist via a Freedom of Information request found more than 5,300 children have been referred to the trust in the last year alone – more than double the amount in 2019. 

Anxiety, depression and eating disorders were among the top referral reasons.

The average waiting time for children from referral to first appointment at the trust was 49 days (seven weeks) – above the national average of five weeks. 

The trust also confirmed a maximum recorded waiting time this year of 847 days – that’s 121 weeks from referral to mental health services to a first appointment.

Nationally, child mental health referrals have now topped one million for the third year in a row.

Referrals at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Trust have increased by 118 per cent in the last five years from 2,460 recorded between 2019/20 to 5,367 in 2023/24.

Andy Bell, chief executive of the Centre for Mental Health charity, said: “Our research indicates that academic pressures, particularly those related to exams, have intensified in the last decade.

“Rising levels of poverty and inequality have also contributed to increased anxiety among children and young people, including factors such as financial stress within households and the impact of racism.

“Evidence also suggests that online harms, such as cyberbullying and pressures around appearance, are relentless and can fuel anxiety in children.”

A spokesperson for the trust said: “In recent years, the demand for mental health services among children and young people across the UK has increased significantly, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Locally, this trend is reflected across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, where we have experienced a sustained increase in the number of referrals received for children and young people in need of mental health support.

“This is indicative of a greater awareness of emotional and mental health needs, and a reduction in the stigma among young people seeking support.”

The trust said its average waiting time for an initial, routine appointment across child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) is 17 weeks – below the national target of 18 weeks.

But added: “Unfortunately, some young people and their parents/carers have waited longer than we would want them to, in these instances we work to ensure they have access to other interim support and know who to contact should their condition change.

“We are working hard to reduce waiting times through recruitment initiatives and have invested in training opportunities and workforce development to attract skilled professionals and increase the number of appointments available each week.”