NUMBER OF CHILD MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS UP 74% UNDER SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
Published date : 29 Mar 2019
New figures from the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre (SPICe) show that the number of NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Staff (CAMHS) in Scotland has increased by 74% under the Scottish Government.
The total number of CAMHS staff in Scotland has increased from 599.4 WTE in 2007 to 1043.6 WTE in December 2018 – while the number of child specialist psychologists has increased by a massive 149% over the same period.
The Scottish Government has committed an extra £12 million in mental health funding for schools to help support plans for an additional 350 school counsellors across Scotland.
By the end of academic year 2019-20, every local authority will also be offered training for teachers in mental health first aid – with an additional 250 school nurses in place by 2022.
Commenting, Jenny Gilruth MSP said:
“Our mental health is one of the most important issues in Scotland today – the Scottish Government has made enormous strides in improving support for both child and adult mental health services in recent years.
“The Scottish Government has made mental health, and the mental health of young people in particular, a key priority while in power – committing well over £1 billion for key services over the coming year.
“But of course, there’s still much to do and the SNP remains committed to improving the mental health of young people across Scotland and narrowing the health inequality gap between those from the least and most deprived communities.”
ENDS
Notes:
Clinical Staff Employed in Scotland CAMHS by Professional Group
Sep-2007
Dec-2018
Headcount
WTE
Headcount
WTE
Nursing
291
267.8
487
447.0
Psychology
141
120.8
332
270.0
Medical
92
72.5
117
92.4
Occupational Therapy
34
30.0
55
41.8
Social Work
20
16.7
30
25.0
Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy
19
16.9
22
19.4
Family Therapy
8
6.5
12
11.4
Counselling
3
2.6
10
8.2
Speech & Language Therapy
10
6.8
18
11.6
Teaching
8
6.0
8
4.4
Art Therapy
4
3.8
12
9.4
Dietetics
4
2.3
15
12.3
Physiotherapy
0.0
2
0.9
Music Therapy
1
0.6
1
0.6
Educational Psychology
1
0.2
0.0
Other Therapy
4
3.3
10
8.0
Other
47
42.7
90
81.1
Healthcare Assistants
0.0
75
68.3
Total: All Professional Groups
687
599.4
1221
1043.6
Source: SPICe
Local Reporters, East Fife Mail, Glenrothes Gazette, Courier (Fife), HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE, LOCAL GROUPS
