CHILD and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in Wales will receive a multi-million pound funding boost designed to ensure young people receive the right treatment at the right time.

An extra £7.6m will be invested every year, with £2.7m earmarked to support an NHS-led change and development programme for CAMHS, launched earlier this year.

It will also support specialist services, to ensure young people are assessed when they present in crisis at an A&E department or are arrested under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

A further £1.1m will be invested to support the development of psychological therapies for children and young people across Wales. Other investments include:

• £2m for the assessment and treatment of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), autism and other neuro-developmental conditions;

• £800,000 to increase the capacity of local primary care mental health teams to support young people, to prevent the need for children to be referred to specialist services unnecessarily;

• £800,000 for earlier intervention for young people developing psychosis between 15-24 years old;

• £250,000 to develop services for the most vulnerable young people who are already in, or are in danger of entering, the youth justice system.

“Across Wales, CAMHS teams work tirelessly to support children and young people with emotional and mental health needs," said health minister Mark Drakeford, who has also has also announced details of an extension to the Discretionary Assistance Fund, providing financial support for parents, carers and family members to visit children who are receiving specialist inpatient treatment.

There are no restrictions on the number of family members who will be eligible for such funding, and no restrictions on the frequency of visits during treatment. Also, no geographical eligibility threshold will apply from the child’s normal place of residence to the inpatient facility providing the treatment.

“Being in hospital is a stressful time for anyone, even more so when it is a child who is receiving treatment for a mental illness away from home," said Professor Drakeford.

"As there are only two CAMHS inpatient units in Wales, it can be difficult for families to cover the cost of regular visiting. We also know that being able to maintain contact with family and loved ones is an important part of many young people’s treatment."