Unacceptable failure in Clinical Commissioning

Local Lib Dem Gary Fuller has expressed absolute dismay at the failure to commission appropriate mental health services for 8-11 year olds with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder in Folkestone and Ashford, as reported on the BBC Breakfast South East Bulletin this morning. The resulting backlog, it was reported, could take six months to clear and may require the commissioning of a private company to clear it.

Commenting on the news, Gary said:

"This is a totally unacceptable failure in clinical commissioning. In any one year, one in four of us will suffer mental ill health, and to allow a situation in which some of our most vulnerable young people have to wait up to six months for the support they need is frankly horrific.

With the excellent work by Time to Change to reduce the stigma around mental ill health, there is no longer any excuse for mental health services to be a forgotten aspect of clinical commissioning. No child should have to suffer without support because of such a blunder."

You can read more about this issue at: http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31831074