Child mental health waiting time performance meets target for first time

Waiting time performance for child mental health services has passed the 90% target for the first time since its inception in 2014.

Mental wellbeing minister Maree Todd hailed the “encouraging” milestone for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

In the final quarter of 2024, figures showed 90.6% of patients were seen within 18 weeks of referral.

This was an increase from 89.1% for the previous quarter and from 83.8% for the same quarter ending December 2023.

Performance has been on a mostly upward trend since 2022.

Opposition MSPs and charities have often called on the Government to improve resourcing for child mental health in order to drive down waits.

Ms Todd said: “This continued progress is testament to the dedication of the staff who work so hard to help the children and young people they care for.

“We want everyone to get the support they need, when they need it. Clearly, reaching the national standard is encouraging but I know there is much more to be done if this is to be sustained and consistent across Scotland.

“However, we are on the right path and the £123 million we have allocated to NHS Boards this year will mean the quality and delivery of all mental health services – including CAMHS – will continue to improve.”

The Government says children who do not have a CAMHS referral accepted are “sensitively and appropriately signposted to a more suitable service”.

The national standard for 90% of children and young people to start treatment within 18 weeks of referral was set in 2014.

It’s welcome news the waiting times standard has been met – but ministers cannot assume the job is now done

Dr Kandarp Joshi, chairman of the CAMHS faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, called on the Government to stick to its target of spending 10% of the NHS budget on mental health.

He said: “It’s welcome news the waiting times standard has been met – but ministers cannot assume the job is now done.

“Alarmingly, waiting times may be even higher because the Scottish Government don’t report on the wait after a young person’s first assessment. They also don’t take into the account the waiting times for neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism or ADHD – which are also on the rise.

“Working on the front line we see a postcode lottery of specialist mental health services across the country, but our vulnerable children and young people deserve so much better than this.”