The Scottish Government has hit its children’s mental health waiting times target consistently in 2025, but more than 100 patients are still waiting after a year, figures show.
Statistics published by show more than 90% of patients referred to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) were seen within 18 weeks, with 91.5% seen within that time between July and September.
The Scottish Government aims for 90% of referrals to be seen with 18 weeks and the target has been hit for every quarter since October to December last year, but year-long waits have increased in the past year.
According to the most recent figures, 3.2% of patients were waiting more than 53 weeks – around 128 of the total of 4,006 patients – down from 3.3% the previous quarter but up from 2.7% in the same quarter last year.
Waits of between 36 and 52 weeks have increased from 6.2% to 6.9% in the most recent quarters – accounting for 276 young people still waiting for treatment – but are down from 6.8% in the same time last year.
Dr Laura Sutherland, vice-chair of the CAMHS Faculty, 萝莉视频 in Scotland, said:
“Although waiting times remain steady - we’ve reached a critical point in CAMHS.
"We have a system which is failing to support the care that psychiatrists and other professionals want to deliver.
“Alarmingly waiting times may be even higher because the Scottish Government don’t report on the long delays for neurodevelopmental assessments – a situation which urgently needs addressed.
“In the run-up to next year’s elections, we’re urging all political parties to fix the system, not just the symptoms - ensuring every pound spent on CAMHS delivers maximum value for patients.
“We need an urgent, coordinated response to the CAMHS crisis, with clear oversight and accountability - not patchwork fixes.
“For the sake of all our children and young people, resources must be directed where they will have the greatest impact, including investment in home-based and inpatient care within the next year.
“This is why we’re calling for the delivery of the long-promised 10% of NHS funding for adult mental health and 1% for CAMHS, guaranteed through legislation. Our young people deserve nothing less.”
For further information, please contact:
- Email: laura.varney@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Contact Name: Laura Varney, Senior Media Officer (Devolved Nations)