Hundreds wait much too long for Mental Health care, say Scottish Conservatives
Hundreds of people each quarter are having to wait far too long to access mental health care, say the Conservatives.
Hundreds of people each quarter are having to wait far too long to access mental health care, say the Conservatives.
The party uncovered figures showing that some adults have had to wait more than two years to access psychological therapy.
It has demanded a vast improvement in the statistics as it questioned the Scottish Government's commitment to addressing mental health issues.
Ministers say mental health spending by the NHS in Scotland has increased by more than 40% in a decade.
The Scottish Government has a target for people to begin psychological therapy within 18 weeks of being referred for treatment.
The Scottish Conservatives said statistics obtained through Freedom of Information requests show that at least two health boards have had individuals waiting more than 105 weeks to begin care.
One two-year wait was recorded in NHS Lothian between April and June 2016, while at least one patient in Grampian also waited 105 weeks until beginning therapy between January and March, the Tories said.
There were waits of 104 weeks in Ayrshire and Arran in 2015, 93 weeks in Fife currently, and 64 weeks in Glasgow in the last quarter.
Scottish Conservative mental health spokesman Miles Briggs said: “It's incredible to think anyone would have to wait more than two years to begin treatment for something of such importance.
“These aren't isolated cases - at least two health boards had patients waiting that long, while many others weren't far behind.
“That is not the mark of a Scottish Government that is taking mental health seriously enough.
“Each quarter, hundreds of people are being made to wait far too long for the help they so desperately need.
“We need to see a vast improvement in these statistics, otherwise vulnerable people will pay the price.”
Ministers say NHS spending on mental health has increased from £651 million in 2006/07 to almost £929 million in 2015/16, and Scotland was the first country in the UK to have a mental health waiting times target, showing how importantly they view the issue.
A spokeswoman said: “The Scottish Government recognises the crucial role that mental health plays.
“It's why we are the first government in Scotland to have a ministerial post dedicated to mental health, and why we are investing an additional #150 million to boost support for areas which are absolute priorities for us, and which will deliver the transformation in mental health services we want to achieve over the next 10 years.
“We will set out our vision for transformation in the next Mental Health Strategy due for publication early 2017.”
She added: “While progress has been made in improving access to psychological therapies and CAMHS services there is still a need to ensure this has been achieved in every service in Scotland.
“We have already put in place a £54 million comprehensive package of support to improve access to mental health services - for children and adults - which will provide funding for additional staff, for workforce development and for in-depth improvement support to local services.”