Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley has voiced grave concern over figures released this week showing the number of patients waiting over 18 weeks to be seen for both psychological therapies and child and adolescent mental health services across Mid Scotland and Fife.
The latest figures for NHS Fife show that 37.5% of patients waiting at the end of the month have been waiting over 18 weeks to be seen, NHS Forth Valley show that 34.6% are waiting over 18 weeks, and in NHS Tayside the figure is 42.9%, despite the fact that the Scottish Government has a target of 90% of patients to start treatment within 18 weeks.
At the end of the year, 3,039 patients were still waiting to be seen across NHS Fife, with 147 patients waiting over 52 weeks. 1,706 patients were still waiting to be seen across NHS Forth Valley and 2,791 patients were still waiting to be seen across NHS Tayside, with 148 patients waiting over 52 weeks.
These concerning figures are also coupled with an increase in patients waiting longer than the 18 week target for child and adolescent mental health services. 36.2% of young people had to wait over 18 weeks before being seen for treatment by NHS Fife. This is nearly a 13% increase in the number of young people waiting on the previous year end quarter. 45.3% of young people had to wait over 18 weeks before being seen for treatment by NHS Forth Valley. This is a 40% increase in the number of young people waiting on the previous year end quarter. And 58.5% of young people had to wait over 18 weeks before being seen for treatment by NHS Tayside - a shocking 56.8% increase.
There has also been a large increase in the number of young people waiting between 36-52 weeks to be seen across the region.
Commenting on the figures, Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Alex Rowley said:
“These figures make for sobering reading. I have been raising concerns about the pressures faced on our NHS for some time in regard to mental health provision. What this shows is that the health service is struggling to cope with the demand.
“Mental health is a serious issue, and unless we properly fund our NHS, more and more patients are going to be let down.
“It is saddening to see so many people waiting so long for treatment that they desperately need. Particularly given that investment in mental health services should be one of our top priorities, particularly child mental health.
“This issue needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. It is clear that mental health services across Mid Scotland and Fife are failing to support all those who need support and this is not acceptable.”
