Mental health services fail kids
More than 14,000 young people have waited longer than the 18-week target for mental health treatment since Nicola Sturgeon became First Minister.
In the same period, more than 1000 have waited more than a year for treatment.
The Scottish Government brought in the 18- week target for refer ral to treatment from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Ser v ices ( CAMHS) in December 2014, a month a f t er St u rgeon wa s appointed to the top job.
Labour analysis of NHS Scotland statistics shows that since then, 14,345 kids and young people have waited longer than 18 weeks and 1185 more than a year.
It follows a report from the Auditor General and Accounts Commission calling for a “step change” in mental health services for children and young people.
Labour health spokesman Anas Sarwar said: “More young people are coming forward to seek treatment for their mental health problems as the stigma surrounding the topic diminishes in our society.
“Sadly, thousands of these brave young people who have sought help have had to endure intolerable waits for treatment. They deserve better than this.”
Mental health minister Clare Haughey said long waits were “not acceptable” and noted £100million of new funding had been targeted at improving support for young people.
This inc ludes fa s t - tracking those with serious conditions to specialist treatment, and a review of the CAMHS system.