Experiences of Richmond CAMHS services - 2015
What we did
We were invited to work in collaboration with Richmond SEND Family Voice (RSFV), ADHD Richmond and Richmond National Autistic society (Richmond NAS) to collect the opinions of parents and schools on services they have received from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in Richmond.
A survey was developed collaboratively including taking feedback from CAMHS and was launched on the 18th May 2015, running until the 19th June 2015. The survey was circulated to Healthwatch Richmond’s membership alongside a number of voluntary sector organisations that support young people and parents and carers of young people that access CAMHS. The survey was also distributed via social media and displayed on the websites of both Healthwatch Richmond and Richmond SEND Family Voice.
Summary
- Having access to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was considered to be positive.
- The majority of respondents thought professionals were responsive when providing carer
- 42.6% of respondents were not satisfied with the suitability of waiting areas. They were described as intimidating and not child friendly.
- Some were unhappy with the attitudes of the staff
- Waiting times between diagnosis and referral were length and too long
- People raised concerns about a lack of support between yearly appointments and alternatives to medication
- There were difficulties getting repeated prescriptions
- Many reported problems in contacting CAHMHs
We make recommendations and had responses from South West London & St George's Mental Health NHS trust and Achieving for Children.
Downloads
For further information you can read the summary report available for download below.
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