Question reference: S6W-03051
- Asked by: Tess White, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 16 September 2021
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Current status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 23 September 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that 9.9% of children starting treatment within child and adolescent mental health services between April and June 2021 had experienced a waiting time of more than 53 weeks, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.
Answer
It is encouraging to see a record number of new patients – including those who have waited longest – starting treatment in CAMHS in the last quarter, as our NHS continues to remobilise.
Long waits are unacceptable and we remain committed to meet the standard that 90% of children and young people begin treatment within 18 weeks of referral.
Over the last 6 months Scottish Government officials provided enhanced improvement support to Boards with unacceptable backlogs to increase CAMHS capacity and reduce waiting lists. £4.25m of the Renewal Fund has been allocated to all Boards to reduce backlogs this year.