'Embed mental health professionals in Highland GP surgeries'
Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.
The Scottish Conservative candidate for Inverness and Nairn is calling for mental health professionals to be embedded in GP surgeries to address the 'mental health crisis' in the Highlands.
The most recent Public Health Scotland figures show that in December 2020, 490 people were waiting more than a year to begin psychological therapy in NHS Highland.
Across Scotland, in December 2020, over 3,844 people were waiting more than six months, with an additional 4,305 people waiting over 12 months.
Edward Mountain has claimed that years of underinvestment and understaffing by the Scottish Government has contributed to long waiting times for mental health services.
The Holyrood candidate commented: “The Highlands is experiencing a mental health crisis and years of under-resourcing vital services is exacerbating the problem.
“Over 30 per cent of Highlanders on the waiting list have been waiting for more than a year. That’s simply unacceptable.
“We can make a step in the right direction by ensuring there are mental health professionals embedded in our GP practices right across the Highlands, so support is closer to home and remote rural communities.
“Centralising services to New Craigs Hospital, which has faced a series of cuts to staff and beds under the SNP, is not the answer.
“If re-elected, I will ensure that mental health is treated as seriously as all other health issues.”