30.03.12
NHS in Yorkshire reduces CAMHS spending
Spending on children’s mental health services has been reduced in NHS North Yorkshire and York, it has emerged. In 2010/11 the trust spent £4.326m on Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
These services are now contracted out, and the new providers have a combined budget of £3.394m, for 2012/13.
This total does not include additional funding, the trust suggested, which can come from other organisations such as local councils and other money spent on specialist services. Recent Government data shows that one in 10 children aged 5-16 have been diagnosed with a mental health problem.
NHS North Yorkshire and York commission and fund CAMHS from other local health providers. TheLeedsand York Partnership NHS foundation trust provide the service in the York, Selby and Easingwold areas. Its budget for 2012/13 is £1.5m.
The Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS foundation trust provide the service in Hambleton, Richmondshire, Harrogate, Scarborough,Whitbyand Ryedale. The budget for those areas in 2012/2013 is a further £1.894m.
Julie Bolus, director of nursing at NHS North Yorkshire and York, said: “Whilst we recognise we can always do more, we believe our child and adolescent mental health services are of fantastic quality, provide good outcomes for patients and are therefore excellent value for money.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]