New Child and Adolescent Mental Health figures from the Information Services Division (ISB) show that one third of young people waiting for mental health treatment in the Borders are not being seen within the 18-week window.
The figures are in stark contrast to the same period last year when almost all patients were seen within 18 weeks. This decline means that mental health waiting times for young people in the Borders is now poorer than the Scottish average in which only one in four have to wait more than 18 weeks.
In the report revealing this information, mental health waiting times were not listed for June because staff shortages in NHS Borders meant the information could not be compiled. The data had to be estimated.
Commenting on the figures, Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
‘It is important that young people in the Borders have easy access to mental health treatment these dramatic increases in waiting times are very concerning’
‘Nicola Sturgeon has claimed for years that improving mental health services is a priority of her government, but yet under the SNP mental health waiting times in the borders are some of the worst in Scotland.
‘It’s about time this SNP Government addressed its mismanagement of NHS Borders and improve the standard of care that mental health services provide’.