In response to a government announcement of extra funding for early support mental health hubs, Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive, NHS Providers, said:

"Any extra support and early intervention is welcome but mental health must be more of a national priority, backed by adequate funding and support, to improve the quality of and access to services.

"Too many children and young people and their families face long waits for mental health and community health services vital for their wellbeing and development.

"Demand for mental health care is at a record high, with more than 2 million people on waiting lists, piling pressure on stretched services which have too few staff and are crying out for more capital funding to provide care in first-class facilities.

"Trusts want people to have the best care possible. That requires more, long-term government support for mental health. For years mental health services have been starved of adequate capital investment vital to provide high-quality care in the right settings for the good of patients and staff.

"We need a more joined-up, cross-government approach with equal national focus on community and mental health services to support children and young people as early as possible."