Northwick Park Hospital is introducing new measures to address violence and mental health issues.

The hospital has teamed up with Young Harrow Foundation, Harrow and Brent councils, and local charities to address the growing number of young people being treated for mental health issues and youth violence in A&E.

A Young Harrow Foundation survey found more than 4,500 young people felt let down with support for mental health, self-harm, youth violence, employment, inequalities and food poverty.

Lauren Fraser, an A&E consultant, is responding to these findings in hope to make staff more accommodating in treating these issues when patients visit the emergency department.

A separate waiting area and facilities has been agreed to be introduced for under 18s, while patients with mental health issues will have improved facilities.

Staff at the hospital will also receive additional training in communicating and supporting young people.

Brent Council will fund a dedicated post within the A&E, which will direct young people to services that can provide further support.

The foundation will also send out young volunteers called ‘change champions’ who will speak to staff and patients at the hospital about their past experiences and assess the environment from the eyes of a young person.

Ms Fraser said: “There is a great opportunity to improve the experience of these young people while they are in A&E.

“We can tailor our environment to their needs as well as put them in touch with the great organisations already working in their community to support them going forward.”

Dan Burke, chief executive of the Young Harrow Foundation, said: “It’s a great opportunity for us to connect with these young people and signpost them to services that can support them in the community.

“Resources are limited so this is about connecting the dots and ensuring young people have access to everything we’ve got to offer them.”