Highland mental health charity Mikeysline backs calls for greater investment in training and recruitment of psychiatrists
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Emily Stokes, CEO of Inverness-based Mikeysline, reacted after research by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) in Scotland.
It showed there is only one consultant psychiatrist for every 10,250 people north of the border.
The College is warning the Scottish Government that the shortage could lead to “painfully long waits for treatment” at a time when services are under increasing demand.
The research also showed there is only one child and adolescent mental health services consultant psychiatrist for every 16,351 persons aged under 18.
Mikeysline CEO Emily Stokes said: “Appropriate investment in training places for both adult and child psychiatrists, and recruitment initiatives to promote and fill these places, is absolutely essential across Scotland for now and for our future.
“It is critical, particularly for individuals with significant mental health issues or a severe and enduring mental health condition, that they have access to a named psychiatrist.
“However, the current lack of psychiatrists does not mean that there is no support for people struggling with mental health issues or support while waiting to see a psychiatrist.
“People should continue to reach out for support at the earliest stage they are able to, if struggling.
“Mikeysline very much supports the call by the Royal College of Psychiatrists to ensure that this crucial workforce shortage starts to be addressed now.”
RCPsych in Scotland recently welcomed news of investment to create extra doctor training places – including 15 psychiatry places.
But with the cost-of-living crisis and crippling waiting times on the rise, the College is now calling for a guarantee that 10 per cent of the health budget is given to mental health. It is also asking that one per cent of what is spent on health goes towards the mental health of children and young people by 2026.
Dr Jess Sussmann, policy lead and consultant psychiatrist at RCPsych in Scotland, said: “What we have is a perfect storm brewing.
“Workforce pressures have never been so tight and now we have the cost-of-living crisis and fallout from the pandemic.
“That’s why we’re appealing to the Scottish Government – that they must act now.
“We still need significantly more investment in our workforce.
“We need to ensure that demand for psychiatric care can be met in the future and that trainee doctors continue to pick psychiatry as a specialism to help us keep up with demand.”
