"All urgent referrals across mental health services are assessed within a 2-week period" says Manx Care

All urgent referrals across all mental health services are assessed within a two week period - that's according to Manx Care.

The board says this includes the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care Service (CAMHS).

It comes following Health Minister Lawrie Hooper revealing the average waiting time for (CAMHS) on Island is 7 months.

The health board says its 'taken major steps' to clear the backlog with the appointment of additional staff - describing the service as a 'priority'.

Meanwhile, it says the service has been 'severely exacerbated' by the pressures of the pandemic - which has seen demand significantly increase. 

Manx Care says its continuing to heavily invest in its mental health services - with the appointment of a new CAMHS manager, a consultant, a speciality doctor post, two nurses, one in a liaison role plus one mental health nurse.

In addition, it says they've recruited an assistant psychologist and are actively recruiting for a highly specialist psychologist, a band 4 outreach worker and a band 6 mental health practitioner.

It says the CAMHS team 'work tirelessly to ensure that children and adolescents receive the support they need'.