Improving child mental health

The number of children and young people seen by mental health services (CAMHS) within the target time has increased for the third consecutive quarter.

Figures published by ISD Scotland today show that 83.6% of people were seen within 18 weeks during the quarter ending 31 March 2017, up from 82.5% in the previous quarter.

CAMHS workforce has increased by 65% under this Government, with the the number of CAMHS psychologists having more than doubled.

Maureen Watt, Minister for Mental Health, said:

“This continued reduction in CAMHS waiting times is encouraging, with 10 Boards achieving the target this quarter – up from seven at the end of 2016.

“However I’m clear that we must continue to reduce waiting times and I will not be satisfied until our target is met sustainably.

“We will continue to work with Boards to make sure that happens right across Scotland and the Mental Health Access Improvement Support Team, which has delivered significant improvements in NHS Forth valley, are working in partnership with Boards to deliver sustained improvements. 

“Our recently published ten-year strategy for mental health sets out a range of measures that focus on prevention and early intervention to meet the mental health needs of children and young people, backed by £150 million of funding.

“We will also soon commission reviews into school counselling and rejected child and adolescent mental health service referrals, as a foundation for making further improvements.”

Background

Full mental health statistical publications can be read here.

Psychological therapies waiting times are also published today; however ISD advise that data completeness for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is between 20-30% due to patient managenent system changes. Revised figures will be published on completion of these IT changes and Scotland figures will be updated.