Scottish Labour has demanded an inquiry into the growing “national scandal” of mental health treatment for youngsters.
In the opening First Minister’s Questions of the new parliament, Kezia Dugdale insisted that Nicola Sturgeon introduce access to a qualified counsellor for every high school.
Ms Dugdale, who leads Scottish Labour, claimed it was “utterly shameful” more than 600 youngsters were left waiting more than year for mental health treatment.
Earlier this week, the Press and Journal reported how almost 60% of under-18s – 83 children – had to wait more than 18 weeks for treatment in NHS Grampian.
Ms Sturgeon agreed the figures were “not good enough”, but said the Scottish Government was investing in mental health services.
However, Ms Dugdale responded: “Over the summer, Labour revealed that 460 young Scots had waited over a year for treatment that they desperately need.
“This week’s figures have seen that number rise to 608.
“That is utterly shameful and nothing short of a national scandal. But it is also just the tip of the iceberg.
“Since January last year, more than 9,000 Scottish children have been referred for mental health treatment only to have that referral rejected or denied.
“The First Minister must order a review of these rejected referrals.
“Labour’s manifesto proposed guaranteed access to a qualified counsellor for every high school in Scotland.
“It would cost a fraction of what the SNP Government are committed to spending and is exactly the type of early intervention the First Minister says she supports.”
Ms Sturgeon replied that she “readily acknowledged there is more work to do”.
She added: “(That) is why we set out in our manifesto commitments on health service spending that outstripped by a long way those set out by Labour in its manifesto.
“As part of that, we have committed to bringing forward a new mental health strategy, as I said on Tuesday, and to backing that strategy with an additional £150 million of resources over the course of this parliamentary session.”
