A BLAENAU mum who has spent thousands on private psychiatric care for her son said she feels let down by the lack of NHS services locally.

Nicola Lewis paid privately for online assessments and medication for her 11-year-old son Cion, who has a neurological condition. She said: “We hoped to see a psychiatrist on the NHS. However, there isn’t one on the NHS in North Wales at this time.

“I’ve paid for a private psychiatrist and my son is still with him. I’m paying for medication each month.

“I first went private in December last year but I’ve been concerned with my son since he was six. I feel he needs the medication to function. I also feel for other families who need to pay this. I am fortunate I had some savings to use. I want this to improve for other people in the area who are in my situation. I feel let down as the support is not available on the NHS.”

Local MP Liz Saville Roberts has taken up Nicola’s case and has urged Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to “urgently redress serious failings” in the provision of child and adolescent psychiatry services in Dwyfor Meirionnydd.

She said: “I am alarmed to learn that there are no permanent child and adolescent psychiatric consultants providing care for young, vulnerable patients in my constituency, a situation further compounded by the health board’s inability to recruit locums to support the service.

“Tackling mental health problems among young people is of paramount importance, especially in rural areas such as Dwyfor Meirionnydd where social isolation and the lack of readily available support services can be significant factors contributing to an increase in mental health issues.

“No family should have to fork-out thousands of pounds to get their child diagnosed and then face the same scenario to access the right treatment, especially given the added pressure of the pandemic on so many families.”

Dr Chris Stockport, for Betsi Cadwaladr health board, said: “Providing the right support for children experiencing mental health problems remains a high priority for the health board, however, we are facing significant challenges with staff recruitment. Six out of the 14 consultant roles across the health board are currently vacant. We have been unable to recruit to them permanently. This situation is consistent with a national shortage.

“We continue to advertise [the posts] and are working with external agencies and will look to recruit internationally.”