Concern over Glasgow mental health list waiting times after funding cut by Scottish Government
Fears that funding cuts to Glasgow’s enhanced mental health programme will push waiting times up have been raised by concerned members of the Integrated Joint Board (IJB).
Back in September it was announced by the Scottish Government that there would be a 5.48% funding reduction across NHSGGC compared to 2024/25 resulting in cuts worth £1.5million.
A paper brought before the IJB committee yesterday outlined how health services across the board were working to deliver the 18-week referral-to-treatment standard for psychological therapies, reduce backlogs and long waits for both adult as well as children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
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Health boards have also been trying to improve mental health services for children and adults with eating disorders.
Although the backlog for assessment at CAMHS has been described as “extensive” it is anticipated that they will be able to maintain the 18- week referral-to treatment standard, with a continuing focus on allocations lists.
During the meeting councillor Lana Reid-McConnell raised concerns over the impact this reduction in funding would have on services.
Councillor Reid-McConnell said: “The report talks about the backlog for the initial assessment and the target of 18 weeks. Having spoken to parents and professionals they are concerned about the backlog.
“What support is available for the people who are waiting for initial assessment and also those who don’t meet the threshold for referrals?”
Kelda Gaffney, Interim Assistant Chief Officer, Adult Services & Interim Chief Social Work Officer, advised: “We have a waiting list at the moment for adult services and we are currently developing plans as I said to see how we manage the waiting list and referrals more effectively.”
Graham Haddock, OBE NHSGG&C Board Member, described the situation as horrifying and asked if there was any way to find alternative funding sources.
He said: “I am very concerned about the impact of this on child and adolescent mental health services and in particular the neurodevelopmental waiting list.
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“I am aware of the impact that these delays are having on young people. Have we tried to find other funding streams to try and preserve this because I think that the impact on young people of these inordinate delays, delays of ND mental assessments, we are not talking weeks we are talking months and years in some cases.
“I would plead that we try and find alternatives to support that service.”
Ms Gaffney said she would note the concerns around the impact of waiting lists and would discuss them with the CAMHS service leads.
She added: “The reduction in funding was applied equally and if you speak to specialist children’s services they will say one of their other biggest demands is eating disorders so eating disorders for children and young people has exploded and we see that moving into adults as well.
“It is difficult to protect one service as that could affect another part of the system.”
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