By Professor John Robertson OBA

From Public Health Scotland, today:

90.6% of children and young people started treatment within 18 weeks of referral, which is an increase from 89.1% for the previous quarter and from 83.8% for the same quarter ending December 2023. The Scottish Government standard which states that 90% of children and young people should start treatment within 18 weeks of referral to CAMHS was achieved.

4,362 children and young people were waiting to start treatment at quarter ending December 2024 which is an increase of 3.1% (131) compared to 4,231 in the previous quarter¹

How did BBC Scotland cover this? Grudgingly and with a tasteless image:

‘For the first time‘ and ‘However, the Public Health Scotland data, external also reveals that for the three months to December last year there was a slight increase in the overall number of young people waiting to start treatment.‘²

What’s the situation in England?

The Children’s Commissioner report for 2023-2024 is due this month but last year is was only 72% seen within 52 weeks! ³

Remember, that 18% difference means thousands seen on time in Scotland and hundreds of thousands not seen on time in England.

Sources:

1. https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/child-and-adolescent-mental-health-services-camhs-waiting-times/child-and-adolescent-mental-health-services-camhs-waiting-times-quarter-ending-december-2024/
2. Children’s mental health waiting times target met for first time – BBC News
3. https://assets.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/wpuploads/2024/03/Childrens-mental-health-services-22-23_CCo-final-report.pdf