A staggering 17% of mental health patients in the Highlands – amounting to 319 – are waiting more than a year to see a clinical psychologist, according to the latest NHS figures.
North politicians hit out after the statistics showed NHS Highland to be the worst performer in relation to waiting times for psychological therapies.
The region accounts for almost a third of patients throughout Scotland waiting more than a year – despite only accounting for about 6% of the national population.
The figures show waiting times have been steadily rising since October, when there were 167 patients (9%) waiting more than a year. This rose to 11% in December and 16% in January.
As of March, of the 1,861 patients who are waiting, a total of 319 (17%) have been on the list for more than 12 months. It is the worst figure in the whole of Scotland, with the second poorest being Dumfries on 6%.
Last month Labour forced the Scottish Government into committing to accurate waiting time estimates for the Treatment Time Guarantee, so patients know if their waiting time guarantee is likely to be broken.
The party’s shadow health spokesman, and Highlands and Islands MSP, David Stewart said: “These latest figures are a very sad reflection of the state of the health service in the Highlands today with too many people waiting too long between referral and treatment.
“There are serious problems in our NHS and they are growing and the fact that more than 300 patients are waiting more than a year to be seen is just disgraceful.
“Frontline staff are facing huge pressures and the cracks are beginning to show.”
He added: “Remember, these are not simply statistics but people anxiously waiting to see medical experts for a wide range of conditions. The Scottish Government needs to get a grip.”
North Conservative MSP Edward Mountain said: “No doubt the Scottish Government may try to spin that waiting times across Scotland are down, but that’s cold comfort if you live in the Highlands.”
Figures for between October and December last year show 82.7% of patients (469 out of 567) are being referred for psychological services within 18 weeks of referral, missing the Scottish Government target of 90%.
An NHS Highland spokesman said: “Since the appointment of the professional lead for psychological therapies services we have been reviewing all waiting times and lists. We have identified a coding issue from different areas across Highland where some double counting has been the result.
“With the support of the ISD team, we are working to ensure all the waiting time information is recorded accurately. We also acknowledge that the service model has needed to change and the review will include recommendations that once implemented will reduce the waiting times across Highland. The service has had some vacancies and recruitment to these is under way.”
