The Scottish Government has again - missed its own target of 90% of CAMHS patients being seen within 18 weeks.
The latest figures published this week, reveal that in the final three months of the last year – seven out of 10 (70.1%) children and young people were seen by CAMHS within 18 weeks of being referred.
That is up from the 67.9% achieved in the period July to September 2022 but still well off the target set by the Scottish Government themselves.
In August 2021 an NHS coronavirus recovery plan was published committing to the 90% standard to be achieved across the country by March 2023.
Dr Helen Smith, chair of the CAHMS Faculty at Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, said: “While it is encouraging to see an increase in the number of children and young people being seen, we must not be complacent.
“As psychiatrists working on the frontline, we know first-hand how demand continues to increase but capacity remains the same.
“Despite all the drama around who will become the new first minister – the CAMHS crisis continues in the background.
“We’re calling on all candidates to make sure they give children and young people’s mental health the priority it deserves.
“We welcomed recent funding from the Scottish Government, but it takes several years to train staff to meet demand.
“CAMHS should receive its fair share of funding. By 2026 - 1% of what we spend on health, needs to go on supporting our young people’s mental health.”
For further information, please contact:
- Email: scotland@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Contact Name: RCPsych in Scotland
- Twitter: @rcpsychscot