CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. These services work with children and young people (up to their 18th birthday), and their parents or carers.
For children under five it can be best to have an initial meeting with their Health Visitor, Public Health or School Nurse in the first instance and more specialist support can then be brought in if needed.
When we are asked to help a child or young person, a referral usually comes from their family doctor (GP), health visitor, social worker or sometimes from school. They need to ask your permission before contacting us. Families can also ask their family doctor or school if they would like their child to be referred to our team.
NHS Lothian CAMHS is made up of a number of different teams. The CAMHS team meets regularly with other professionals and works closely with them to put the best support in place for each child or young person.
For further information, access NHS Lothian CAMHS
Melville Unit
The Melville Unit is a brand new, purpose-built facility for children and young people in the Lothian region at the Royal Hospital for Children & Young People (RHCYP) in Edinburgh.
Located on the ground floor, young people and their families should use the main RHCYP entrance and follow signage for the ‘Melville Unit’.
Melville Unit reception 0131 312 0050
Melville Unit In-patient Team 0131 312 0030
There are consultation rooms for outpatient appointments, spaces for group meetings and individual consultations, as well as a dedicated in-patient unit with space for 12 young people at a time. Sometimes it might be helpful to have a think about any questions you’d like to ask before you come – or write them down and bring them with you. If you have any questions about your visit before you arrive, please contact our appointments desk and Melville Unit reception on the number above. The people involved in your care will also be pleased to help answer any questions you have and, if necessary, talk to other members of your family. We are committed to making sure that the care and treatment you receive is of the highest possible standard.
