Mother Calls for Specialist Mental Health Doctors at GP Surgeries to Prevent Future Tragedies

"Support Could Have Saved Her Life"

Phoebe’s mother, Tamzin Abbott, believes her daughter’s death could have been avoided if she had received mental health support sooner. She stresses the need for specialist doctors in GP surgeries who are trained specifically to help children presenting with mental health concerns. “Phoebe may well still be here now if she received mental health support sooner,” Tamzin said.

This call for change comes in light of growing concerns about the accessibility and timeliness of mental health support for young people. The long waiting lists and delays in referrals to specialized services like CAMHS often leave children and their families feeling helpless and unsupported during critical periods.

A Push for Specialist Training

Tamzin proposes that every GP surgery should include a paediatric doctor trained in mental health care for children. This would not only provide earlier intervention but also relieve pressure on emergency services. “This would take the pressure off staff in A&E if doctors had more powers to intervene earlier,” she explained. Additionally, having specialized doctors at GP practices could help reduce the lengthy waiting lists for CAMHS referrals, ensuring children get the support they need in a timely manner.

The Government’s Response

In response to the growing crisis in youth mental health, a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care highlighted plans to increase mental health support. “Our plans to put mental health support in every school and walk-in hubs in every community will also help prevent mental health issues from becoming more serious," the spokesperson stated. As part of a broader mission to reduce lives lost to suicide, they announced the recruitment of 8,500 new mental health workers specially trained to support those at risk.

While these steps are encouraging, parents like Tamzin believe that more immediate changes are needed at the GP level. By introducing specialist mental health doctors into surgeries, early intervention could become a reality, potentially preventing tragic outcomes like Phoebe's.

A Call to Prevent Future Losses

Phoebe’s death is a stark reminder of the urgent need for accessible and timely mental health care for young people. Tamzin’s plea for specialist doctors at GP practices is a call to prevent future families from experiencing similar heartbreak. It serves as a powerful message that every young person deserves prompt and effective mental health support.

This push for change is not just about reforming the healthcare system; it's about saving lives. As Tamzin continues to raise awareness in honor of her daughter, she carries a message of hope: that no other family should have to endure the pain of losing a child to a preventable tragedy