Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Sue Webber for Lothian region says it is a scandal that so many children and young people are waiting to begin mental health treatment in NHS Lothian.
Sue Webber MSP says that SNP Ministers have repeatedly failed to get a grip on the mental health crisis among young people, which has only been exacerbated during the Covid crisis.
SNP Government targets say that 90 per cent of youngsters requiring mental health treatment should be seen within 18 weeks. However, in NHS Lothian 36.8% of young people waited beyond 18 weeks to begin treatment.
Sue Webber MSP says that pressure from the Scottish Conservatives finally ensured the SNP committed to spending ten per cent of the health budget on mental health services.
Commenting, Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Sue Webber said: “There is a mental health crisis among our young people in NHS Lothian.
“The SNP Government have repeatedly pledged action, but it is clear they are still nowhere near to getting on top of this challenge. It is a scandal that so many of our vulnerable young people in NHS Lothian are waiting so long to begin vital mental health treatment.
“Even prior to the pandemic, the SNP failed to ensure that critical targets were met, but mental health issues have only been exacerbated by the Covid crisis.
“Pressure from the Scottish Conservatives meant that the SNP finally committed to spending 10 per cent of the health budget on mental health services.
“I will be continuing to push to guarantee that they now deliver that much needed investment to NHS Lothian as well as charities and other organisation delivering crucial mental health support in our communities.”
