Dr. Sarah McGuire:

In terms of mental health, some 60% of the children who present have some form of psychological issues and of that, 40% are significant or severe. We have some provision for one-to-one psychology if it is related to emotional eating or directly related to a barrier to making positive lifestyle change. If the issue is primarily mental health, we would be referring the child to the local child and adolescent mental health service. Access to that service is dependent on the waiting list.

Children who have a history of self-harm or suicidal intent are more adequately placed in the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS. Consequently, we sometimes must conduct a review and refer them on to CAMHS, requesting an urgent appointment. Access to those services is all determined by waiting lists as well.