GPS struggling to secure help for people suffering mental health issues

MOST GPS are working beyond their competence in dealing with mental health issues and are struggling to secure help, including for suicidal children, a poll suggests.

The survey from Pulse, which specialises in primary care reporting, found around 38 per cent of GP consultations now have a mental health element, compared with

25% pre-covid.

Seven in 10 GPS said they were working beyond their competence in dealing with children’s mental health issues, while 63% said the same for adults.

Many were battling to get children seen by specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), with one GP based in south-east London saying: “I have not had a CAMHS referral accepted for at least the past two years – all rejected as ‘not actively suicidal, discharged to GP’.”

Another told Pulse: “CAMHS reject every single referral, even in children presenting to hospital with overdose.”

The Royal College of Psychiatrists responded to the poll, saying it was seeing record referrals and there were not enough psychiatrists for the workload.

The Pulse snapshot poll of 569 family doctors found many GPS were having to provide a range of support during their consultations with patients.

These included managing suicidal thoughts in adults (86% were providing this support), mental health crises (81%) and monitoring patients who should be monitored by a specialist team (70%).

Some 69% of GPS were diagnosing children and adolescents with mental health issues and 66% were dealing with suicidal thoughts in children.

The survey also found that 70% of doctors said their local NHS trust had raised the thresholds for adult mental health referrals during the pandemic, making accessing treatment harder.

Dr Adrian James, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: “The pandemic has had an enormous impact on people’s mental health, with children and young people particularly affected.

“As a result, we’ve seen a significant increase in demand on mental health services, with a record 4.3 million referrals for treatment during 2021.

“There are currently not enough psychiatrists to meet the demand on mental health services, and that gap is growing.”

A Department of Health and Social

Care spokesman said: “Improving access to mental health care is a top priority and we are investing an additional £2.3 billion a year into services by 2023/24.

“This will help 370,000 adults and older adults with severe mental illnesses have greater choice and control over their care, and 345,000 more children and young people access specialist

Nhs-funded mental health care if they need it.

“We are asking the public, including those with experience of mental ill health, for their views to inform a new 10-year mental health plan.”