More than 620 kids and youngsters are ready for psychological well being care in Gloucestershire, with many ready for greater than two years for assist.

Civic chiefs stated they’re severely involved that 4 to 11-year-olds particularly have been struggling terribly because the coronavirus pandemic.

Councillor Collette Finnegan requested well being chiefs what they’re doing to enhance the state of affairs.

Gloucestershire NHS well being bosses say it’s beginning to make progress.

Ms Finnegan, who’s town council’s consultant on Gloucestershire County Council’s well being overview and scrutiny committee, stated: “The waiting list for CAMHS [Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services] is anything between 18 months to two years.

“My concern is now we have quite a few younger kids who’ve suffered quite a bit throughout Covid.”

Douglas Blair, the chief executive of Gloucestershire Health and Care Foundation Trust, told the committee meeting he recognised that the waiting list continues to be very long, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported.

He told the committee that the total waiting list has reduced since the start of the year but they still have 627 on the list.

“It was increased in January. About 60% of that ready final has been ready underneath a yr whereas 40% is over a yr,” he stated.

“Absolutely we have nonetheless obtained some very lengthy waits that we’re tackling however we really feel we’re beginning to make some progress.”

Mr Blair said the trust has been challenged by a “vital” increase in demand and have been expanding the workforce in different ways.

He said that they have put more mental health support in schools, which has used up some of their workforce.

The core child and adolescent mental health service has had a reduction in its total number of people in post during the calendar year, said Mr Blair.

But he explained that they are now seeing around 70% of people in post, with a further 16% of people in a pipeline of recruitment.

Councillors agreed that a task and finish group should be set up to further look into the matter.