Children waiting for mental health treatment being 'failed by the system'
Figures show thousands of kids aren't getting help within the Scottish Government's waiting time target
It’s claimed thousands of young people are being “failed by the system”- with waits of more than four months for mental health treatment.
Figures released by Scottish Labour show the Scottish Government’s 18 week waiting-time target was missed for 3,666 children in the year to March 2017.
NHS Scotland’s Information Services Division says that amounts to almost one in five of those treated.
Scottish Labour said the figures show the need for a school-based counsellor in every secondary school and a review of rejected referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Monica Lennon, the party's inequalities spokeswoman, said: “The SNP government claims it is prioritising education and mental health, but it needs to own up to the heart-breaking truth of children being failed by the system and start listening to them and experts.
“If we are ever to close Scotland's shameful attainment gap, we must tackle the growing mental health crisis affecting our young people.
“Scottish Labour has outlined plans for access to a school-based counsellor in every secondary school and a review of rejected referrals to ensure every young person is getting the care they need."