The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats has pledged to recruit almost 1,000 new mental health professionals if elected in May.
Willie Rennie visited therapy animals from Canine Concern in Edinburgh to outline his party’s plans to deliver one million additional treatment sessions each year.
Mr Rennie has already pledged to open two new child and adolescent mental health facilities in Aberdeen and Inverness.
There are currently no beds for children and teenagers suffering mental health difficulties north of Dundee.
Mr Rennie said: “We have already announced plans to double the funding going towards child and adolescent mental health services.
“This will end the scandal of year-long waits for treatment and the fact there are no beds for them north of Dundee.
“Our mental health plan will be an important part of our costed manifesto. It takes into account the areas north of the central belt that have been neglected for far too long, and will deliver for children and adults across the country who continue to suffer from debilitating mental health issues.”
Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon pledged to carry out a feasibility study on extending the Borders Railway if re-elected in May.
During a visit to Hawick, the first minister said: “It makes sense to look at extending the line to other communities.
“I know there is support across the Borders for extending the line to Carlisle, and if re-elected we will take the first step on that journey.”
Meanwhile Scottish Labour MP Ian Murray visited a business park in Edinburgh to highlight his party’s plan to invest in education.
He said: “The SNP have chosen to cut and cut education, with 10% slashed from spending since 2007, and hundreds of millions of pounds of cuts to schools and local services this year. That’s a short-sighted move which will short-change Scotland.
“Labour will use the powers of the Scottish Parliament to invest in our future and grow our economy.”
