LibDems:Weneed mental health A&Es

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie has called for A&E-style walk-in centres for mental health emergencies to be set up in Scotland.

He unveiled new proposals to tackle the country’s mental health crisis as he hit the election campaign trail in Clackmannanshire.

He also called for the number of specialist psychiatrists in training for young people to be doubled.

He said: “Last week the budget for mental health increased by £120 million thanks to the Scottish Liberal Democrats. This is a serious intervention and should be the start of changes that mean there is no wrong door in the mental health system.

“It builds on the other changes I’ve secured in this parliament: the recent declaration of a mental health crisis, the appointment of a mental health minister for the first time, and the first batch of new staff for GP surgeries, A&E, prisons and the police.

“I’ve lost count of the number of times families have told me of their struggles to get help. Every time it is heartbreaking. Even before the pandemic our research found children and adults waiting up to two years for treatment.”