Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)

Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Question reference: S6W-37317

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 19 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it reportedly does not publish waiting time data for children and young people waiting for neurodevelopmental assessments and support, and what plans it has to publish routine waiting time data in the future.

The Public Health Scotland CAMHS statistics capture children and young people who meet the CAMHS criteria. Children and Young People and their families who have requested support for their neurodevelopmental needs but do not meet the CAMHS criteria are not reported in these statistics.

However, the statistics do capture those children and young people who are on the waiting list and have mental health concerns comorbid with neurodevelopmental issues.

Data relating to the number of children waiting for a neurodevelopmental diagnosis is not currently nationally reported or published. However Health Boards should hold their own data on who is waiting for a neurodevelopmental diagnosis.

It is also important to recognise that not all children seeking a diagnosis will meet diagnostic criteria but may still have support needs. That is why our National Neurodevelopmental Specification makes clear that support should be put in place to meet the child or young person’s requirements when they need it and should not be dependent on a formal diagnosis.

We acknowledge that work is needed to improve the quality of data that we have on neurodevelopmental support and services, including a better understanding of current levels of need and the level of support children and young people currently receive.

We are working with Health Boards and local authorities to improve our understanding of what data is available, and how this could be used to support improvements for children and families.

Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Filter your results Hide all filters

Question reference: S6W-37317

Answer