CAMHS - FAQs

This can depend on how urgently a young person needs to be seen. Most young people that meet the referral criteria are offered an appointment within a few weeks, but it can vary from being seen urgently in a few cases on the same day or within a week or two, up to thirteen weeks which is the maximum wait for most referrals.

The average length of appointment is about one hour.  This can vary depending on the young person's and families circumstances and certain treatment options may be shorter or longer.

When an initial appointment letter is sent this will include some information about CAMHS and the type of appointment it will be. There will also be some questionnaires to fill in so the clinician can understand the concerns as fully as possible on this first visit. If a treatment package is offered some of these questionnaires will be used again at a later date to see what changes have occurred.

Sometimes it is helpful for parents to attend without their children either initially or at subsequent appointments. A parent can always discus coming on their own if this is not initially raised with them.  We cannot usually offer treatment for an older child or young person without having met them.