An MSP has said it is a “scandal” that so many children in Lanarkshire are waiting for mental health treatment.
Graham Simpson claims that SNP Ministers have repeatedly failed to get a grip on the mental health crisis among young people, which has only been exacerbated during the Covid crisis.
Government targets say that 90 per cent of youngsters requiring mental health treatment should be seen within 18 weeks.
However, in NHS Lanarkshire 42.7 per cent have waited beyond that period to begin treatment.
Mr Simpson says that pressure from the Scottish Conservatives finally ensured the SNP committed to spending 10 per cent of the health budget on mental health services.
He explained: “There is a mental health crisis among our young people in NHS Lanarkshire.
“The SNP Government have repeatedly pledged action, but it is clear they are still nowhere near to getting on top of this challenge. It is a scandal that so many of our vulnerable young people in Lanarkshire are waiting so long to begin vital mental health treatment.
“Even prior to the pandemic, the SNP failed to ensure that critical targets were met, but mental health issues have only been exacerbated by the Covid crisis.
“Pressure from the Scottish Conservatives meant that the SNP finally committed to spending 10 per cent of the health budget on mental health services.
“I will be continuing to push to guarantee that they now deliver that much needed investment to NHS Lanarkshire as well as charities and other organisation delivering crucial mental health support in our communities.”
