Lincolnshire sees progress in East Midlands mental health services for youth
Regional collaborative reports improvements in care and outcomes
A regional collaborative delivering mental health services for children and young people across the East Midlands, including Lincolnshire, is marking significant improvements as it approaches its fifth anniversary.
Formed in 2021, the East Midlands Children’s and Adolescents’ Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Collaborative is highlighting its achievements particularly during Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, from 9th to 15th February.
Notably, the collaborative has reduced inpatient admissions by 61% from 330 to 129 in the 12 months leading to October 2025, and the average length of stay has decreased by 80% from 200 days to 40 days.
These changes have allowed a focus on enhancing community-based services, including a core intensive outreach team, leading to care closer to home and a considerably reduced wait time for admissions by 85% to under five days.
Simon Harris, Director of New Care Models for the collaborative, which includes Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust among others, emphasized the transformation:
“Before the collaborative was formed, too many children and young people were being let down by a mental health system in the region ill-equipped to meet their needs."
The collaborative aims to bridge the gaps in services and enhance regional mental health systems, investing around £28 million in community mental health initiatives.
These include CAMHS 3.5 – a rapid intervention service, and enhanced care referral efforts, along with a family ambassador team supporting families throughout treatment phases.
Their commitment to improving outcomes continues, with a focus on strengthening co-production where young people will assist in designing new services such as a planned Day Service Model.
Significant achievements since 2021 include a reduction in admission numbers and average lengths of stays, alongside enhanced access to care.