Orkney NHS has again met the 18 week standard for responding to the needs of our young people who are experiencing mental health issues. The Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) report was published today, 6th June 2017.

In 10 Scottish Health Boards 83.6% of young people were seen within the 18 week timeframe. Although there is no room for complacency it does mean that the Scottish NHS is outperforming that of the rest in the UK.

CAMHS is a multidisciplinary response for the assessment ,care, treatment and ongoing support for those up to age 18 in Orkney. The team includes  psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers and many others. Family members are also crucial in the care and support they can give.

In Scotland the CAMHS workforce has increased by 65% in recent years with the number of CAMHS psychologists having more than doubled.

Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) CAMHS staff in NHS Scotland [ISD Publication]

Maureen Watt, Minister for Mental Health in the Scottish Government said:

“Our recently published ten-year strategy for mental health sets out a range of measures that focus on prevention and early intervention to meet the mental health needs of children and young people, backed by £150 million of funding.”

“We will also soon commission reviews into school counselling and rejected child and adolescent mental health service referrals, as a foundation for making further improvements.”

Significant funding has been invested in CAMHS since 2009 for workforce and trainee expansion. This includes  81 people undertaking education aimed at supplying the CAMHS workforce, 33 of whom are on a CAMHS aligned Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) showing the stats for Orkney [ISD Publications]

The report can be read here Information Services Division Scottish Government