THE MOTHER of an autistic teenager in Worcester has slammed CAMHS for a "terrible lack of clinical appointments".

Nancy Butterworth, 14, has allegedly not been able to see a consultant for over three years.

CAMHS, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, treat young people with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties.

Lisa Butterworth, of St John's, said her daughter has been suffering as a result of the lack of appointments.

Mrs Butterworth said: "We are just at our wit's end, she is in crisis and is suffering so much and it has impacted every aspect of our lives.

"We can't go out for a meal, we can't go on holiday, all because my daughter is suffering so much.

"Despite numerous calls for help and several emergency referrals from other medical professionals and our GP, she still hasn’t been seen.

"We have not even been able to see our consultant for the last three years."

Nancy was first diagnosed with autism when she was seven years old and is set to turn 15 this August.

"Ever since she was diagnosed we have consistently passed around without ever receiving any real support or any form of therapy.

"She has tried two antipsychotic medications and is currently taking a low dose anti-depressant which does nothing at all for her.

"We have complained to the Patient Advice and Liason Service but all of our urgent appointment requests have been constantly ignored."

Lisa has said that Nancy has been suffering from suicidal tendencies as a result of her condition.

"I just feel everything is perceived as a box-ticking exercise and our children's mental health is being totally disregarded.

"The hardest thing to get my head around is that she is already a CAMHS patient and yet we still can't access any support."

Worcester News: Rob Butterworth and Nancy (aged 10 in the picture).Rob Butterworth and Nancy (aged 10 in the picture).

A spokesperson for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust:“We aren’t able to comment on specific cases but are disappointed to hear of any family having a poor experience of our service and while we don’t believe this reflects most people’s feedback.

“Our CAMHS currently supports around 3,300 children across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and while we take every concern raised seriously and are committed to learning from any shortcomings, we also want local children, young people and families to feel assured in the support available and to reach out if they feel they need help.

“There is a range of options to support a child/young person struggling with their mental health, from emotional wellbeing services in schools and online resources, through to more intensive help available through CAMHS."