RCPsych Scotland welcomes new ministers

A new era has dawned for Scottish politics with the appointment of a new First Minister of Scotland.

Following a leadership contest, Humza Yousaf succeeded Nicola Sturgeon.

And for mental health, his new ministerial team includes:

RCPsych in Scotland will now be seeking to influence the new ministers by working with stakeholders, opposition parties, the media and Scottish Government decision-makers.

Dr Linda Findlay, chair of RCPsych in Scotland said:

“We’d like to congratulate all three new ministers, who will be working on one of the most challenging portfolios there is in government.

“Health and the NHS are issues which affect every one of us, from cradle to grave. It’s important that we get things right – especially when it comes to mental health.

“RCPsych in Scotland will be writing to all the new ministers in charge of health, to urge action on several issues that were already promised, but not yet delivered.

“We’d like to see progress of at least 10% of frontline NHS spending going towards mental health by 2026 and a coherent workforce strategy to support the development of specialist staff to keep up with demand.

“And while we welcomed the announcement of the £68m cross-government action plan on drug deaths, the Scottish Government still needs to make sure services, workforce and funding are properly sustained over time.

“We’re also keen to ensure that the needs and rights of people who require specialist services due to severe mental health problems, are not lost under the wellbeing agenda.

“With the cost-of-living crisis, huge challenges lie ahead, but we’re keen to work closely with ministers and decision makers for the benefit of our patients, clinical colleagues and services across Scotland.”

 

Return to our April 2023 update.

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