A team of NHS health care professionals who provide mental health care to children and young people living in Lichfield and Burntwood have been shortlisted for a national award presented by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych).

A team of NHS health care professionals who provide mental health care to children and young people living in Lichfield and Burntwood have been shortlisted for a national award presented by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych).

Lichfield Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, often referred to as CAMHS, are shortlisted in RCPsych Awards 2019 in the Psychiatric Team of the Year 2019: Children and Adolescents category.

The community CAMHS team, provided by Midlands Foundation NHS Trust (MPFT), credit collective and medical leadership for their high achievements which deliver above the national benchmarking despite the team being smaller than the national average.

Their achievements include no waiting lists in three years despite a 30 per cent increase in referrals and patient assessments made within an average of four weeks and initial treatment within eight weeks, compared to national averages of nine and 13 weeks respectively.

Claire Bailey, Managing Director of Children and Families’ Care Group at MPFT said: “Lichfield CAMHS consistently demonstrate exceptional levels of clinical expertise and knowledge across a wide range of interventions. This ensures children young people and their families receive high quality care that is tailored to their specific care needs.

“I am delighted that the team have been recognised by the Royal College and its award process. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase the outstanding work ethos of the team and demonstrate the proactive approach which they undertake, specifically around working with young people to enable service improvement.”

The CAMHS team, which comprises of a variety of highly skilled professionals, are dedicated to quality improvement and have successfully used youth participation to develop and implement improvements. Supported by clinicians from the team young people have been able to run sessions for other young people, give presentations at a national level and support the team to create an environment which is welcoming and therapeutic.

The award winners will be announced at the RCPsych Awards Ceremony at the College on Friday 8th November 2019.