"I feel that the system is completely failing"

About: Community Mental Health Services / CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services) Falkirk General practices in Forth Valley

(as a parent/guardian),

Three children with ADHD and ASD have been refused repeated requests by their GP’s for over a decade to get on the CAHMS waiting list. I had to pay privately for three ADHD assessments and only my middle boy made it to CAHMS once he was diagnosed. The oldest, who was given one appointment in April, still hasn’t been seen by adult mental health services.

I feel that the system is completely failing children’s mental health. The youngest was assessed at school by an educational psychologist as having ASD two years ago and has been privately diagnosed for ADHD but still hasn’t been seen. There is a whole generation of children not able to get the support and treatment they need for mental health condition's and being completely failed.

My oldest was completely depressed and not functioning and CAHMS just apologised for this, but still couldn’t offer him an appointment. 

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Responses

Response from Lesley Dunabie, Department Manager, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, NHS Forth Valley about a year and a half ago
Lesley Dunabie
Department Manager, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre,
NHS Forth Valley
Submitted on 03/10/2023 at 20:02
Published on Care Opinion on 04/10/2023 at 10:10


Dear Somkk79

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on you and your families experience of Forth Valley CAMHS and adult mental health services.

I am sorry to hear that you have had to wait a significant length of time for assessment and intervention for your children. I wondered if this was something we could discuss in more detail to allow me to understand what has happened.

If you would like to get in touch with CAMHS directly via our email please do so.

fv.camh@nhs.scot

Thank you once again for your comments

Lesley Dunabie

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