Surge in children admitted to A&E for self-harm and mental conditions
There has been a surge in the number of children admitted to A&E for instances of intentional self-harm in recent years.
Recently published figures also show in the space of five years the number of patients under the age of 18 being diagnosed with a psychiatric condition in A&E departments has more than doubled.
2010/11
patients under age of 18 given first diagnosis of having psychiatric condition
patients under age of 18 identified in A&E as having intentionally self-harmed
2014/15
patients under the age of 18 given first diagnosis of having psychiatric condition
patients under age of 18 identified in A&E as having intentionally self-harmed
Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat former health minister who asked the written parliamentary question which prompted the publication of the figures, described them as "deeply shocking".
The Government is failing to support children and young people by not delivering the investment that was agreed before the general election. In March 2015, Nick Clegg and I announced £1.25 billion to be spent over five years on improving young people's mental health services, but the Government has already underspent by £107 million in the first year.
Norman Lamb also said the statistics show there is an "absolute need to introduce the same right to get treatment on a timely basis for children and young people suffering mental ill health as others enjoy".
He said: "I am calling on the Government to make up the shortfall immediately, and to deliver on its promise to provide the full £1.25bn over the next five years."Read: ITV's Changing Minds series