Question
Untitled item
S5W-20582 · Written Question · lodged by Stewart, Alexander
Lodged on
12 Dec 2018Heard / answered on
20 Dec 2018To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that some adults in Fife are waiting up to 11 months to be seen by a mental health specialist, and what plan it has to conduct a review of NHS Fife’s adult mental health support.
The answer
Recent data show that the average wait for treatment for psychological therapies in NHS Fife was 10 weeks (Jul-Sept 2018). However, some people are still waiting far too long – 7.4% waited over a year to be seen. We are deeply disappointed that despite mental health being a key priority for this Government a number of NHS Boards, including NHS Fife, are still not meeting the 18 week waiting times standard for access to psychological therapies.
We remain determined to drive improvements in access to mental health services. This is why we continue to invest in services, including £54 million over four years to help boards improve access and build capacity. We also set out plans in the Programme for Government to utilise technology to extend access for adults to a range of support services. Between 2016-17 and 2019-20, NHS Fife will receive a total of £2,390,323 for capacity building and workforce development to improve access to CAMHS and psychological therapies. Under Action 15 of the Mental Health Strategy, which sets out our commitment to funding 800 additional mental health workers in key settings, NHS Fife will also receive a total of £5,716,858 between 2018-19 to 2021-22. This funding aims to ensure that local provision and support is at the heart of our plans.
We have no plans to conduct a review of NHS Fife’s adult mental health support.
We remain determined to drive improvements in access to mental health services. This is why we continue to invest in services, including £54 million over four years to help boards improve access and build capacity. We also set out plans in the Programme for Government to utilise technology to extend access for adults to a range of support services. Between 2016-17 and 2019-20, NHS Fife will receive a total of £2,390,323 for capacity building and workforce development to improve access to CAMHS and psychological therapies. Under Action 15 of the Mental Health Strategy, which sets out our commitment to funding 800 additional mental health workers in key settings, NHS Fife will also receive a total of £5,716,858 between 2018-19 to 2021-22. This funding aims to ensure that local provision and support is at the heart of our plans.
We have no plans to conduct a review of NHS Fife’s adult mental health support.
Answered by Clare Haughey on 20 Dec 2018.