Improving capacity and flow in CAMHS

The current landscape for the NHS is extremely challenging with financial constraints, increased demands and complexity, and difficulties with staff recruitment and retention. This has culminated into long patient waiting lists to access support, which may also negatively impact prognosis and engagement in effective treatment. 

During this workshop, you will hear from the team at the Community Eating Disorder Service for Children and Young People (CEDS) in East London. They’ll share their story on how in the face of these challenges they have managed make significant and sustained improvement in their service, which has been awarded ​‘Psychiatric Team of the Year’ by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2023.

The team will share their experience of how using a QI framework can lead to successfully tackling long waiting lists in the face of significant challenges including increased demands, decreased resources and low staff morale. 

The hour-long workshop will involve a presentation from the team, breakouts to discuss in smaller groups and time for reflections.

Kamel Cheradi is General Manager for the East London Foundation Trust’s (ELFT) Community Eating Disorders Service and is a nurse by discipline. He has a significant background and experience in working with very unwell and risky young people and their families across multiple settings including community, in-patient and day service provisions. This extends to leading and developing clinical services and teams, looking after those affected by significant mental health. He has previously led the development of an eating disorder pathway in an inpatient setting during his time in a Nurse Consultant role. Kamel has completed the QI Leadership programme at ELFT. He is passionate about improvement work, and ensuring young people and families are kept at the heart of what we do. 

Sophia Ulhaq is an Associate Clinical Director for the ELFT Community Eating Disorders Service, Crisis & Alternative to Admission Pathways for adolescents. She has nine years’ experience as a Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist and has worked with young people and families across community and inpatient settings, and has worked in the NHS and private sector.  She has experience of leading the development of services and shaping teams. As the ELFT CAMHS QI Lead she has led the development of embedding regular CAMHS QI Hubs into the culture of the directorate. Sophia is passionate about improving services and empowering young people and family involvement.

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We aim to make our events accessible and inclusive and encourage you to let us know about anything you need to ensure you can participate fully. If you need other adjustments, please contact us: q@health.org.uk