So you have been referred to CAMHS… what now?
When we receive your referral (from School or your GP), our clinicians look over this and decide what will be the best possible way to help support you. They will contact the person who referred you and let them know their thoughts. This might be signposting to another Service or giving advice.
Our staff may contact you by telephone to offer a ‘triage call’. This is simply a short telephone call with one of our clinicians that allows them to speak with you and get some more information. This helps us decide how best we can help. We may also write to yourself or your school to ask for some more information.
If you are added to our Waiting List, we will write to you to inform you of this. Unfortunately, due to the demand on our Service, you may experience a bit of a wait until your first appointment. Our website is full of resources and helpful guides to look at in the meantime, that will hopefully be useful.
You may hear your appointment being called an assessment. At present, due to the current Coronavirus situation, the majority of our appointments/assessments are being carried out via telephone or video consulting (Near Me). If however it is felt that a face-to-face appointment is required, then this will be arranged.
Attending CAMHS at the moment is a little bit different. You will be contacted by a member of our lovely admin team prior to your appointment to ask about possible Coronavirus symptoms. Please answer these questions honestly and do not worry if this means we need to rearrange your appointment. We will do so as soon as possible or be able to offer an alternative such as a phone call or video call.
If possible, you will be asked to wear a mask and to only attend with one other person such as a parent or carer. Our staff will also be wearing masks or be behind clear screens. You will be asked to use some handgel when you arrive too and to sit a more spaced out waiting area than you may be used to. Your clinician will come to get you and show you into the clinic room. The clinic rooms may look a bit strange as they need to be spaced out to keep everyone safe.
The following may help explain this a bit better…
- Coming to CAMHS
- My visit to the hospital