Average wait up by more than two thirds in two years
ELIZABETH.CHEUNG@SCMP.COM
UPDATED : Wednesday, 25 May, 2016, 4:32pm
School children are waiting longer than before for mental health treatment. Photo: SCMP Pictures
School children with mental health problems are waiting more than two thirds longer for treatment at public clinics than two years ago, it has been revealed.
The median wait went from 8.5 months in 2013-2014 to 14.5 months in 2015-2016, according to the latest Hospital Authority data submitted to the Legislative Council.
The 70 per cent increase in waiting time coincided with a rise in the number of children getting treatment, which was up 15 per cent over two years to 27,740.
The increase in the number of children between six and 11 years old was the biggest, at 19 per cent.
Children under 18 needing psychiatric help mostly suffered from autism, attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder, and behavioural and emotional disorders.
According to the written reply to legislators from Education Secretary Eddie Ng Hak-kim, his department gave schools guidelines on helping students with mental health problems.
Schools could also call the seven district centres of the authority’s Early Assessment Service for Young People, designed to help youngsters suffering from early psychosis directly with expert advice and support.
Pressure on mental health services has reached capacity, with a lack of specialists in the city. There are about 330 psychiatrists working in the public sector, which takes most patients.
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1953927/hong-kong-children-wait-more-year-mental-health
