Long waits for mental health help
 In some parts of Scotland people suffering from mental health problems are waiting more than a year for help. The public spending watchdog found waits of between 58 and 77 weeks for psychological therapies in two areas covered by NHS Highland. In Tayside, 40 per cent of older people are waiting longer than 18 weeks. Researchers also found out that waiting times for young people in Tayside, Highland and Greater Glasgow and Clyde are longer than they should be.
The report, Overview of Mental Health Services, said: "Basic management information on waiting times, staffing levels, vacancies and caseloads is needed for agencies to plan and manage mental health services more effectively. We found evidence of children and adolescents waiting a long time to access services."
The British Medical Association called for more funding to improve services.
22 May 2009
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