Central Scotland MSP Meghan Gallacher hits out at "appalling" mental health waiting times for children

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Lanarkshire MSP has slammed the Scottish Government for presiding over “appalling” mental health waiting times for children and young people in the area.

Meghan Gallacher’s call comes after responses to Freedom of Information requests submitted by the Scottish Conservatives uncovered the “intolerable” waits being endured by children and young people who require mental health support across the country.One patient in NHS Highland had to wait 150 weeks for their first appointment, while another patient in NHS Lothian waited more than two years between their first and second appointments.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android In NHS Lanarkshire, the longest wait a CAMHS patient suffered for their first appointment was 558 days while another patient had to wait 430 days between their first and second appointments.

The Central Scotland Conservative MSP said: “Vulnerable children and young people in Lanarkshire are suffering truly appalling waits for mental health treatment on the SNP’s watch.“No patient should be waiting as long as 558 days to have their first CAMHS appointment.