South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth has said the waiting times for mental health services in Ayrshire and Arran are “unacceptable”.

It comes as figures from the Scottish Government’s Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland show that in the three months to September 2019 22% of young people waited more than 18 weeks for treatment at CAMHS. Likewise, more than 25% of adults waited more than 18 weeks to see a psychological therapist.

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said, “The waiting times for access to mental health services in Ayrshire and Arran are unacceptable. The 18 week target is supposed to be legally binding and guarantee swift treatment, yet nearly a quarter of patients, including the children and young people, are not being given the care they need when they were promised it”.

“The longer a patient has to wait for treatment with mental health issues the more difficult and longer their recovery will be. NHS staff are working tirelessly to provide the best possible care for their patients, but they simply do not have the resources they need. We urgently need investment in mental health services across Scotland tackle this scandal.”