Halcro Johnston challenges Health Secretary on mental health waiting times
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston today challenged the SNP health secretary Shona Robison on mental health waiting times for children and young people in NHS Grampian.
The health board, which the health secretary accepted previously had unacceptable levels of waits, has experienced problems across a range of areas. These figures, released earlier this month, showed the health board as being by far the worst performer in Scotland in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
NHS Grampian, which covers Moray, also agreements to support a range of services for NHS Orkney and NHS Shetland patients.
Jamie Halcro Johnston said:
“It is shocking that only a third of children and young people referred to mental health services with NHS Grampian are being seen within 18 weeks, a marked reduction on the same period last year. If mental health is to be a priority, the health secretary will have to start taking these sorts of figures seriously and show real results from efforts to reduce waiting times.
“Unfortunately the health secretary failed to answer when we can expect waiting times within Grampian health board to meet targets. I have been raising waiting times in Grampian with her for several months and will continue until people across the region can be reassured that they will get the treatment they need within a reasonable time.