Concern over cut to young people's mental health crisis scheme

Concerns have been raised over the reduction of a specialist mental health support service for children and young people in the north west.

The Card Before You Leave scheme ensures young people experiencing a mental health crisis who present at a hospital's emergency department are given a written appointment with specialists before leaving.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) said due to financial pressures the scheme is now only operating on a Monday to Friday basis and not at all on weekends and bank holidays.

Londonderry GP Dr Joe McEvoy said the reduction was a further "chipping away at an already threadbare service".

"It's already difficult for families when they're dealing with a young person who is distressed to know how they should manage it," McEvoy told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

In a statement, WHSCT said the reduction was introduced in August as "part of wider savings measures" and would remain under review.

It said the reduction in the scheme's operating hours applied only to young people "who present out of hours and are assessed as low risk".

"These patients are now assessed by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) on the next working day rather than the next calendar day," the trust said.

It added: "There has been no change to arrangements for young people assessed as high risk, who continue to receive the appropriate assessment and support based on their clinical needs."

The trust said it remains "committed to providing safe and effective mental health services for children and young people".