Only five Scots health boards meet psychological therapies treatment-time target

The majority of health boards have failed to meet the treatment-time target for psychological therapies, official figures show.

Just five of Scotland’s 14 boards met the requirement to see at least 90% of patients within 18 weeks – NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, NHS Highland, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Shetland and NHS Western Isles.

Waiting times for child mental health services are improving but remain below the 90% target across Scotland, with only about half of boards meeting the target.

A report by NHS Scotland Information Services Division stated: “During the quarter ending March 2016, 13,451 people started treatment for psychological therapies in Scotland, 82.8% of which were seen within 18 weeks.

“Half of the patients started their treatment within seven weeks. The trend of patients seen within 18 weeks has remained relatively stable over the last five quarters.

“Improving access to services for older people is a key element of the mental health strategy. 747 people aged 65 and over started treatment for psychological therapies in this quarter and 88.1% were seen within 18 weeks.

“The Scottish Government has determined that the psychological therapies standard should be delivered for at least 90% of patients.”

A separate report on child and adolescent mental health services (CAMH) stated: “During the quarter ending March 2016, 4,436 children and young people started treatment at CAMH services in Scotland, which is similar to the previous quarter (4,483) and then higher than the same period the previous year (4,269).

“84.2% were seen within 18 weeks and half started their treatment within eight weeks.

“This compares with 76.1% in the previous quarter and 78.9% in the same period the previous year.

“The 18-week standard was met by eight boards (NHS Ayrshire & Arran, NHS Dumfries & Galloway, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, NHS Highland, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Orkney, NHS Tayside and NHS Western Isles).

“Across Scotland, 11.6% of patients referred to CAMH services did not attend their first appointment, compared to 13.1% in previous quarter and 10.7% for the same period in 2015.

“The Scottish Government determined that the CAMH services standard should be delivered for at least 90% of patients.”

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