The first minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf - has completed the appointment of his new ministerial team.
The new appointments include:
- Cabinet secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care Michael Matheson
- Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Maree Todd
- Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy Elena Whitham
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.”
For further information, please contact:
- Email: scotland@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Contact Name: RCPsych in Scotland
- Twitter: @rcpsychscot