On 30 July, RCPsych in Scotland (RCPsychiS) published a new report, 'Mental health at the fault line', highlighting serious concerns about Scotland’s integrated health and social care system. On publication day, the report attracted extensive media attention, with coverage across print, broadcast and online channels.
The RCPsychiS report reveals a complex and poorly coordinated health and social care system that’s having a damaging impact on patient safety, clinical leadership and financial transparency.
A decade after the system was introduced, the report highlights how the current structure is preventing the delivery of effective, joined-up care that it was designed to achieve.
The College is now calling for an urgent inquiry by the Scottish Parliament into the system’s impact on secondary care and specialist mental health services.
The report has received 81 mentions across broadcast, print and online channels, reaching an estimated audience of almost 40 million people.
Media engagement
On launch day, the report received wide-spread media attention across Scotland and the nationals. Substantial articles were published online by STV News, the Scotsman, the Herald, and Daily Record, alongside print articles in the Scotsman, the Herald, Daily Record, Daily Express, the Sun and the i Paper.
Dr Pavan Srireddy, Vice-Chair of RCPsychiS was interviewed live on BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast, saying:
“What we hear from our members, psychiatrists, clinicians on the frontline, and our patients, is that we have a very complex structure that is hard for patients to navigate. Quite often, services can be inconsistent, access to care can be delayed and people simply struggle to get the right help at the right time when they need it.
“Services can and should get better for mental health patients, and that requires the right structures that are joined up in decision making with clear accountability.”
Listen to the interview (from 48 mins, 55 secs)
In the afternoon, Dr Jane Morris, Chair of RCPsychiS, was interviewed live on BBC Radio Scotland ‘Lunchtime Live’, saying:
“We identify patients' needs every day, but psychiatrists often do not have a meaningful seat at the table when key decisions are made. In some cases, the routes to influence those decisions are blocked or simply too complicated.”
“Scotland continues to invest significantly in mental health, and we recognise the financial pressures facing government. However, we believe an independent inquiry is needed to determine whether resources are reaching the areas of greatest need.”
Listen to the interview (from 49 mins, 22 secs)
Both interviews were syndicated across BBC Radio Orkney and BBC Radio Shetland, extending the report’s reach to audiences across Scotland.
The report gained further exposure through television coverage, with both BBC Scotland News and STV featuring it in their news bulletins.
There’s more to come, including an opinion piece exploring the report’s findings in greater detail.
For further information, please contact:
- Email: scotland@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Contact Name: RCPsych in Scotland
- Twitter: @rcpsychscot