CAMHS team 'overwhelmed' by 'volume of enquiries'

Manx Care asks parents and guardians to 'limit contacts'

Manx Care is asking the public to contact the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service less as it deals with 'an overwhelming volume of enquiries'.

The healthcare body says 'whilst it is perfectly understandable that families are extremely keen to secure a time frame for assessment', this has resulted in the CAMHS service being inundated by calls.

It says: "Responding to the current volume of calls received is increasingly having a profound impact on the team’s ability to concentrate resources on the waiting list initiative."

The CAMHS team is therefore asking parents and guardians to 'limit contacts to those requested by them or required in order to keep their children safe'. 

It also is asking those offered an appointment they can no longer attend to cancel it as soon as possible.

In a statement, Manx Care said: "It has been well documented that CAMHS services both locally and internationally, have experienced unprecedented demand for services in recent years. This has unfortunately resulted in a significant increase in waiting times. 

"The welcome recent investment in children’s and young people’s mental health has however, enabled the CAMHS service to embark on a waiting list initiative aimed at offering assessment and treatment to over 800 children and young people over the course of the next 12 months.

"Whilst it is perfectly understandable that families are extremely keen to secure a time frame for assessment this has resulted in the CAMHS service receiving an overwhelming volume of enquiries. 

"Responding to the current volume of calls received is increasingly having a profound impact on the team’s ability to concentrate resources on the waiting list initiative.

"The CAMHS team would like to respectfully ask parents and guardians to limit contacts to those requested by them or required in order to keep their children safe. 

"This will enable the team to dedicate more time in realising the ambition of reducing waiting times. 

"Please be assured that the team will proactively reach out to families over the course of the coming months to offer assessment appointments. The team are working tirelessly to see as many children and young people as possible.

"Please also ensure that if you are offered an appointment but no longer require it, that you cancel it as soon as possible, so it can be offered to another family."

If you are worried about your child’s immediate safety, during working hours call the CAMHS duty team on (01624) 642875. 

Out of hours, you should call emergency services on 999.