Concern over cut to young people’s mental health crisis scheme

• The Card Before You Leave scheme provides written specialist appointments to young people presenting with mental health crises at ED, improving continuity of care and reducing treatment gaps
• Cuts to this scheme risk leaving vulnerable young people without timely follow-up after acute crisis presentation, potentially increasing re-attendance and adverse outcomes
• GPs should be aware of potential disruptions to specialist mental health referral pathways for young people and may need to strengthen primary care safety-netting procedures

The Card Before You Leave scheme ensures young people experiencing a mental health crisis who present at a hospital's emergency department are given a written appointment with specialists before leaving.

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