Figures released by ISD Scotland show that almost 400 patients have waited longer than the 18-week target time for access to mental health services in the first three months of 2018 in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde alone.

The numbers show that 96 young people waited longer than 18 weeks for child and adolescent mental health services in the first quarter of 2018, one of whom waited longer than 36 weeks.

And on psychological therapy waiting times for adults, more than 300 patients waited for more than 18 weeks for treatment, this is an increase of 250 patients compared with the same period last year.

Jackie said:

 “The SNP government’s warm words on mental health are no comfort to the 400 patients in Greater Glasgow and Clyde who have waited more than 18 weeks for treatment in the first three weeks of this year alone.

“NHS patients and staff deserve much more than the consistent failures of this government. It is a national scandal that mental health services are under such pressure that people are being forced to wait far too long.

“It really is time that this Health Secretary put patients and staff first