New children's mental health service to launch

A new NHS service is aiming to help children and young people even more with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

The new child and adolescent mental health services in Shropshire will be delivered by the Midlands Partnership University NHS Trust (MPFT), replacing and expanding on its current BeeU service.

Changes to the scheme, which helps youngsters from birth up to 25 years old, include getting earlier help and support while they wait, joined up care and an improved digital offer.

The new service launches on 1 April as a three-year programme.

A MPFT spokesperson said they would also aim to reduce inequalities in access, outcomes and experience, especially for vulnerable groups - including children in care and those with special educational needs and disabilities.

They added that the service would strengthen its autism and ADHD offer, while greater community-based support would be put in place for eating difficulties and disorders, as well as early help with them and medical monitoring of people.

Support in local schools will continue to expand through mental health support teams, with MPFT aiming to see that it reaches all schools in its area by 2030.

If a child or young person was already receiving support from BeeU, their care would continue, the spokesperson added.

"As the existing provider of these services in the county, we understand the needs of the local community have changed in recent years," Cathy Riley, from MPFT, said.

"This new service model seeks to address this, with a dedicated focus on prioritising easier access, earlier support and more joined-up care for those in need.

"The transformation of these services will continue over the next three years, and we're looking forward to involving the local community in shaping how they evolve."

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