Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 02 April 2014
02 Apr 2014 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Mental Health
The Labour Party is free to propose a debate on that issue if it wishes and we can respond to such points. However, there has been a significant improvement in CAMH services. For example, in the Borders, 99 per cent of CAMH patients are seen within 18 weeks, with the average wait being three weeks. In Dumfries and Galloway, 100 per cent are seen within 18 weeks, with the average wait being seven weeks. When I was on the Health and Sport Committee, we did not even have that type of data. We had no idea how long it was taking for people to access those services. It is extremely important that we recognise the level of improvement that has already been achieved in those services, but it is also important that we build on it in the years to come.
As I said, the debate has been useful. Members can be assured that mental health will remain a clinical priority for the Scottish Government. In doing that, we will be able to continue to build on the improvements that have been made in recent years.
16:51In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-09558, in the name of Jim Hume, on improving Scotland’s mental health. 15:50
Jim Hume (South Scotland) (LD)
LD
A little over 15 months have passed since the Parliament last had the chance to thoroughly debate mental health issues. On that occasion, the Scottish Govern...
The Minister for Public Health (Michael Matheson)
SNP
I welcome the opportunity to have this debate. Mental health issues have a high profile in Scotland. Indeed, this Parliament has regularly debated mental hea...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
Will the member give way?
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
The member is in his last minute.
Michael Matheson
SNP
It is important that we build on the good progress that we have made in recent years in order to reduce discrimination against and stigma towards mental ill ...
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Mental illness is one of our time’s most prevalent conditions. Its economic, social and personal impacts can be, and often are, devastating. Across Europe, m...
Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I welcome the Liberal Democrats’ decision to debate Scotland’s mental health, although it is perhaps a little premature, given that the 10 year follow-up to ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Many thanks. We move to open debate. 16:16
Aileen McLeod (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the opportunity to speak in this afternoon's debate on what is a vital issue for tens of thousands of people across Scotland. In last year’s debate...
Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (Lab)
Lab
We should always begin health debates with positive stories, and it is very easy to find them because we have that wonderful organisation Patient Opinion her...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
You are in your final minute.
Malcolm Chisholm
Lab
We should also remember that we need services that are available for all young people. In that regard, the Place2Be project is really good, because it is ava...
Colin Keir (Edinburgh Western) (SNP)
SNP
As my niece is a psychologist for NHS Borders, I know that mental health is a major issue, but I was not aware of the magnitude of the problem. As Neil Findl...
Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab)
Lab
I thank Jim Hume and his Liberal Democrat colleagues for bringing this debate to the chamber. Although there is some contention among the parties on what res...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
I am glad to have been given the opportunity to talk about mental health issues here today. A number of members have looked at some of the positives that hav...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
We move to the closing speeches. 16:37
Jackson Carlaw (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
I thank Jim Hume for the way in which he opened this short debate, which turned out to be two debates for the price of one. I will concentrate on the motion ...
Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of interests, as I am a fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, honorary professor of psychology ...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Much has been said today about psychological therapies. Does Dr Simpson share my concern that psychological therapies do not necessarily address the needs of...
Dr Simpson
Lab
I will come on to that. Early identification of mental health problems is vital, so we really need to look at the tier 1 and 2 services, which are considerab...
Michael Matheson
SNP
This has been a useful debate. I want to draw it together in a consensual fashion, because our mental health debates have largely had a consensus around them...
Neil Findlay
Lab
Will the minister give way?
Michael Matheson
SNP
Do I have time, Presiding Officer?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Not much, but on you go.
Neil Findlay
Lab
I support a great deal of what the minister said, but I say gently that, at some point, we have to have a serious discussion about the funding of local gover...
Michael Matheson
SNP
The Labour Party is free to propose a debate on that issue if it wishes and we can respond to such points. However, there has been a significant improvement ...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
I am delighted that we have had the debate and I am proud of the fact that Scottish Liberal Democrats have enabled it to happen. It has certainly been all to...