490 people left waiting more than a year for psychological therapies in NHS Highland
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A call for mental health professionals to be available in GP surgeries has been made by Edward Mountain, the Scottish Conservative candidate for Inverness and Nairn.
Mr Mountain said that the move would help address the “mental health crisis” in the Highlands.
The most recent Public Health Scotland figures show that in December 2020, 490 people were waiting more than a year to begin psychological therapy in NHS Highland.
Across Scotland, in December 2020, more than 3,844 people were waiting more than six months, with an additional 4,305 people waiting over 12 months.
Edward Mountain has claimed that years of underinvestment and understaffing by the SNP Scottish Government has contributed to long waiting times for mental health services.
Mr Mountain said: “The Highlands is experiencing a mental health crisis and years of under-resourcing vital services is exacerbating the problem.
“Over thirty per cent of Highlanders on the waiting list have been waiting for more than a year. That’s simply unacceptable.
“We can make a step in the right direction by ensuring there are mental health professionals embedded in our GP practices right across the Highlands, so support is closer to home and remote rural communities.
“Centralising services to New Craigs Hospital, which has faced a series of cuts to staff and beds under the SNP, is not the answer.
“If re-elected, I will ensure that mental health is treated as seriously as all other health issues.”
Last week NHS Highland said it has set up a mental health task force.
Louise Bussell, interim chief officer at NHS Highland, said: “The Covid pandemic has been a particularly challenging and concerning one for adults and children.
“We have seen an upsurge in need which, when added to the limitations of providing face-to-face appointments over the last year, has led to a significant delay in children accessing our services.
“We have used technology where possible as well as urgent face-to-face care, but continue to have capacity difficulties within the service.
“Prior to and during Covid we had identified the need to improve access to services and provide a sustainable model of care.
“To support this work, a new child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and psychological therapies programme board was established within NHS Highland in January to lead this improvement work in relation to both areas.
“We have representatives from the Scottish Government at this forum and are working closely to reduce waiting times.”
In the 2021/22 budget, the Scottish Government has set aside £139 million for mental health services, supporting overall mental health spending of more than £1.1 billion.
Ms Bussell continued: “We welcome the government announcement of additional funding in this essential area of care and will ensure that the investment is used effectively as we fully appreciate the importance of supporting young people.”
