South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has called on the SNP government to act now to support mental health services in Dumfries and Galloway- after new statistics showed the region in the top ten areas for people requiring inpatient mental health support- with the highest rate in Scotland for readmissions.

Statistics published this morning have revealed that those living in Dumfries and Galloway are around three times more likely to require mental health care than some other parts of the country such as Orkney and Shetland.

Although the statistics also show fewer mental health inpatient admissions than the previous year due to the pandemic having a significant impact on those able to access care, the region has the highest percentage of readmissions in Scotland, suggesting people were unable to access the support they need in the community.

Of those admitted in Dumfries and Galloway in the year 2020/2021, 27.1% were readmitted within 28 days compared to a Scottish average of 14.9% and a massive 38.4% were readmitted within 133 days compared to a Scottish average of 26.3%.

This continues a trend with Dumfries and Galloway having the highest percentage of readmissions of any region every year for the past decade.

Commenting on the figures South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said, “The Government’s own figures expose the extent to which mental health services in Dumfries and Galloway are under enormous pressure”.

“The fact the number of people in our region requiring mental health treatment is three times higher compared to some other parts of Scotland is deeply worrying”

“Staff are working hard round the clock to give the care needed and to deliver the world-class mental health services people in our region deserve. But it is clear from these figures that the Scottish Government are not managing to deliver the resources required to ensure we have the services we need locally.”

“The Scottish Government has to get a grip of this crisis and take action to give mental health services in Dumfries and Galloway the support required.”