Question reference: S6W-02923
- Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 14 September 2021
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Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 28 September 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support people with (a) psoriasis and (b) psoriatic arthritis who experience mental health conditions associated with the condition, including depression and anxiety.
Answer
The Government understands that those with long term health conditions such as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis may also need support to deal with the impact this may have on their mental wellbeing.
GPs or local healthcare teams are best placed to offer further advice or treatment if needed and we’d advise people to contact their GP if they have concerns. Further information outlining this is available on our NHS Inform website at NHS Inform.
Improving timely access to local care and support for mental health is an existing priority. As of 1 January 2021, through action 15 of the Mental Health Strategy 2017-27 and the Primary Care Improvement Fund, 193 additional Mental Health Worker posts have been created in GP settings.
We’ve also made a longer term commitment that by 2026, every GP Practice will have access to a mental health and wellbeing service, funding 1,000 additional dedicated staff who can help grow community mental health resilience and offer social prescribing opportunities on a wide range of different community based services such as arts and cultural activities, green space and physical activity and leisure etc.
Later this year, and on the basis of local plans submitted by Integration Authorities, we will start providing funding to begin national implementation of a new model for Mental Health in Primary Care.