THE Health Authority is bidding for extra Government money to improve child and adolescent mental health services in Bolton and Wigan.

At present, services are provided by the education authority, the hospitals in the two boroughs and community trusts and social services.

After extensive consultation with all providers, the health authority is looking to create a more seamless service, to ensure referrals are dealt with in the most efficient way possible.

Estimates suggest there are between 11,517 and 27,643 children in Wigan and Bolton who have a mental health or psychiatric disorder at some time in their lives.

Children living in urban areas are twice as likely to suffer from such problems as those living in the countryside and there's increasing evidence that the number of children affected is on the increase.

In a report to Wigan and Bolton Health Authority, Brenda O'Driscoll, director of commissioning, outlines the authority's plans to review services across the board and put them where they are needed most.

She explained: "Demand for services to support families and help children and young people suffering from things like mental illness, conduct disorders, eating disorders and emotional and behavioural problems has resulted in increased pressure on health, education and social services.

"Evidence suggests that early intervention could prevent the escalation of difficulties into major disabilities.

Response

"In order to provide an effective multi-agency response, there is a need for a service which helps us detect mental health problems at an earlier stage.

"Then they can intervene in the best way possible for less severe problems and to refer those with more severe problems to specialist mental health services."

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