North MSP claims mental health services for children and young people in the Highlands are at 'breaking point'
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MENTAL health services for children and young people in the Highlands are at "breaking point," according to a north MSP.
Rhoda Grant, Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands, made the claim after figures published by Public Health Scotland revealed that 564 children and young people were on the waiting list at the end of last year. Fifty-seven per cent had been waiting longer than the target of 18 weeks. She also argued that statistics show that between October 2021 and December 2022, more than 25 per cent of those waiting for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in NHS Highland have been waiting for over 53 weeks. Mrs Grant says they have been "abandoned" by the SNP Government.
She claims the mounting pressure on services is leading to young people being turned away, with 21 per cent of referrals in Highland being rejected. Across Scotland, 25 children and young people a day have their referral to CAMHS refused.
NHS Lanarkshire had the highest number of patients on waiting list at 1584, with 68 per cent waiting more than 18 weeks. The lowest figure was recorded by NHS Western Isles with four patients on the waiting list and none waiting more than18 weeks.
Mrs Grant said almost 30,000 children, young people and adults are waiting for mental health treatment and stressed the Labour party is calling for action to improve services.
They want the creation of a new referral system to ensure no young person is rejected for treatment, the provision of a dedicated mental health worker in every GP practice and a mental health Accident and Emergency department in every health board so that patients can be fast-tracked, and an increase in mental health spending to at least 11 per cent of the NHS budget.
Mrs Grant said: "Children and young people in Highland have been abandoned by the SNP at every turn, from their dire record on education to their failure to support CAMHS.
"Mental health services are at breaking point despite the tireless work of NHS staff, and thousands of children and young people are at risk of falling through the cracks.
"Far too many children and young people in Highland are facing long waits for help, or worse still being turned away altogether.
"The SNP must back Labour’s plans and deliver the action we desperately need to prevent a full-blown mental health crisis unfolding in Highland," she added.
