West Lothian Council’s Tory group leader has asked the council to step in to help youngsters in the county suffering with mental health issues .
The move comes on the back of an FoI request which revealed almost 40 young people had waited more than a year for help through NHS Lothian’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
Councillor Damian Timson met with senior council officials last week including Jo MacPherson, the council’s head of social policy.
The FoI request revealed that 39 young people had waited more than 12 months for an appointment.
NHS Lothian has acknowledged the delays and launched a £3m recruitment drive to hire nursing, psychiatry and psychology staff.
It is also looking at other ways to improve, such as changing patient pathways and new methods of working to improve access quality and patient experience.
After the meeting Cllr Timson said: “I have asked West Lothian Council to write to CAMHS asking them to contact all parents and guardians of those who are waiting over 12 months to be seen by a specialist, to ask if they would agree to their details being shared with West Lothian Council to ensure more support can be given to them whilst they have this unacceptable wait.
"The priority must be the well being of children and young people and all agencies must do their utmost to ensure their safety."
