THE trust which is responsible for mental health services in Andover is failing to meet its targets as a result of the pandemic, new documents have revealed.

In the year to March, across England, there were 10,579 complaints made about NHS mental health organisations. A total of 615 of these were made about the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which runs services in Hampshire, which was the third highest for a mental health trust in the figures.

Now, in board papers, published by the Sussex Partnership Foundation NHS Trust from July, the trust said pressure on services had been exacerbated by the pandemic, which had generated higher demand, and led to longer waiting times.

Between June 2020 and July 2021, 17 per cent of young people referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)in Hampshire received a routine assessment within four weeks. In Sussex it was 33 per cent. Both fell well below the trust's target of 80 per cent.

The report reads: “The pressure on inpatient beds is affected by the COVID-19 surge, and we continue to see significant pressure for CAMHS, ADHD and Autism services.”

Referring to the intended response to this shortfall in Hampshire, the paper continues: “Additional funding has been made available from the CCGs to address the capacity shortfall and reduce waiting times.

“The service has developed action plan trajectories for the number of patients waiting for assessment and treatment. However, these show waiting lists rising over the next 12 months due to the rising demand.”

CAMHS is an NHS service that assesses and treats young people struggling with their emotions, behaviour and mental health, with specialist teams across the UK.

The latest statistics come after the Advertiser recently reported on the case of one Andover mum who described her “awful” wait for support for her daughter.

Gemma Roden has been trying to get help for dauGhter Kaylah through the CAMHS following “outbursts of anger”. However, despite two self-referrals, and one from a doctor, the service has declined to put her on their books.

“I’m fighting my daughter’s corner and I’m just not getting anywhere,” Gemma told the Advertiser.

“CAMHS are just ridiculous. Our children’s mental health is important and things need to change.”