WAITING times for young people seeking expert help to tackle mental health difficulties have been slashed in the last year.

Worcestershire’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) was overhauled 12 months ago and since then the average waiting time for a first appointment has plummeted, from 18 weeks, to just five, according to the latest figures.

As well as reduced waiting times, Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust says that the large majority of its service users are reporting a positive impact on their mental health after engaging with its staff.

In a recent survey, 78 per cent of Worcestershire children and young people who access the service reported their difficulties were either “much better” or “a bit better”.

And Fran Tummey, clinical manager for the CAMHS, vowed to improve the service further in the coming months.

“Staff across CAMHS have worked hard to make the much-needed changes to the service and we now believe we offer a more focused mental health service with the changes made based on user feedback,” she said.

“We will not rest on our laurels and will continue to improve the experience our children and young people and families receive when they are referred.”

In a bid to maintain high standards, trust leaders meet monthly with commissioners from Worcestershire County Council, which funds and monitors the service.

Richard Keble, head of commissioning at the county council, said: “Commissioners have monitored the progress of the re-design and the performance of the service throughout this period and there is clear evidence that outcomes have improved with effective tools and processes in place.

“We will continue to work with the trust to ensure that improvements are sustained and enhanced in the interests of children and young people and their families.”

Plans for ongoing improvements include increased partnership working with educational psychologists and offering consultation and training sessions.