Labour-led MK Council is to provide extra funding to improve access for local children to mental health services.

At Cabinet last night, it was revealed that due to strong management of the budget, the council is expecting a small budget surplus at the end of this financial year of £300,000.

Recently national reports have shown an explosion in children reporting mental health issues, but services provided are often not meeting demand, with NHS budgets being stretched to breaking point.

After discussion at the meeting, the Labour Cabinet agreed to propose that part of the budget surplus should be used to increase access for children to mental health services. Funding will be used to support a local charity providing support to young people.

NHS budgets are being stretched to breaking point, whilst national reports shave shown an increase in children reporting mental health issues.
NHS budgets are being stretched to breaking point, whilst national reports shave shown an increase in children reporting mental health issues.

Cllr Zoe Nolan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “The health and well-being of our young people is our single most important concern, and always will be. Mental health issues in children are increasingly a worry and we need to improve access to help and support services.”

She continued: “I am very pleased that because of our strong financial management, Labour-led MK Council is able to propose extra funding to help improve access to mental health services for children in MK. I believe that it is not only is it the right thing to do, but financially it will save the council and the NHS money in future by preventing mental health crisis and enabling people to live fuller lives.”

She concluded: “We want to ensure every child lives a healthy life to their full potential, and a Labour-led MK Council investing in increasing access to mental health services will help achieve that aim.”

Link to Instagram Link to Twitter Link to YouTube Link to Facebook Link to LinkedIn Link to Snapchat Close Fax Website Location Phone Email Calendar Building Search