Wales criticised for lack of child mental health support

The report, Services for Children and Young People with Emotional and Mental Health Needs, has been jointly produced by the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, the Wales Audit Office, education inspectorate Estyn, and the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales.

As well as a lack of support for under-fives, the report also found that many mental health services were hard to access.  Where specialist support was available, for example to help those with eating disorders, provision was patchy across Wales.

The quality of staff training and management was also found to be variable and children are still being placed in adult mental health wards, the report found.

In total, 16 recommendations are being made to the Welsh Assembly Government, health boards and councils. This includes the assembly producing an action plan to address issues raised within six months.

Health boards and councils are being called on to build stronger links and produce joint local plans to improve services.

Health minister Edwina Hart rejected the report as being out of date, saying as a result, the key recommendations contained within it have already formed the basis of government policy in this area for some time.

She added that waiting times for specialist services have fallen by around 10 per cent and specialist mental health nurse numbers have increased by 15 per cent.

A Wales Audit Office spokeswoman denied the report was out of date. The performance information included in the report is current as at August 2009. As part of our normal clearance procedures, this report was shared with Assembly Government officials who confirmed they were happy that the report is materially accurate and presented fairly, she added.