Third of consultant child psychiatrist posts unfilled while demand soars

One in three child and adolescent consultant psychiatrist posts in England are vacant, according to an analysis laying bare the workforce crisis that experts say is fuelling long waits for NHS care.

- Andrew Gregory

The number of children and young people requiring mental healthcare has soared in recent years but many face lengthy delays. Some are deteriorating to a dangerously severe state of mental ill health while they wait.

At the same time, underfunding of the NHS has devastated its ability to recruit and retain enough psychiatrists. A new workforce census published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists shows child and adolescent mental health services now have the highest consultant vacancy rates of any psychiatric specialism.

Of 842 child and adolescent consultant psychiatrist posts in England, one in five (19.2% or 162 posts) were vacant. When combined with posts covered by locums, the total vacancy rate was more than one in three (36.8% or 310 posts), the report said.