SNP Government dilutes commitment to new mental health workers

Posted by Media Team | Updated 2019-11-07

Scottish Liberal Democrats today highlighted that the SNP Government is diluting its commitment to give key public services the new mental health workers they need, in light of new figures showing more than a third of the new staff recruited so far are being attributed to 'other settings' and ministers couldn't explain what they are doing.

Scottish Liberal Democrats secured a commitment in the 2017 Mental Health Strategy for 800 new staff to be put in A&Es, GP practices, in prisons and with the police. The Scottish Government has so far added 206 staff in these areas.

But in an effort to meet the target of 800 extra workers the latest progress report includes 121 people who have been added to 'other settings'. Under questioning from the Scottish Liberal Democrats, the Scottish Government couldn't account for what the people in 'other settings' are doing, where they are, or the extent to which they are even full-time dedicated mental health workers.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP commented:

"It's been almost three years since the SNP Government accepted the Liberal Democrat demand for new mental health staff to work alongside GPs, A&E staff, police and prison officers. Now it is clear that these under-pressure services aren't going to get the full 800 staff they are due.

"More than a third of the staff recruited so far have been attributed to 'other settings'. However, the Scottish Government can't tell us any more about where they are or what they are doing. The target has been diluted.

"We warned the Scottish Government that 800 staff wouldn't be enough to meet the huge demand that exists in GP surgeries, A&E, in prisons and with the police. We asked for much more. The SNP's failure to now even stick to this unambitious but explicit commitment will only add to the pressure these critical services are under."

Find out more about our work - sign up for emails today:

First Name

Last Name

Postcode

Can we keep you updated?

Yes, I'd like to get emails from the local Liberal Democrats.

The Liberal Democrats may use the information you provide, including your political opinions, to further our objectives and share it with our elected representatives. Any data we gather will be used in accordance with our privacy policy: www.libdems.org.uk/privacy You can exercise your rights and withdraw your consent to future communications by contacting us: [email protected] or: DPO, Lib Dems, 1 Vincent Square, SW1P 2PN.

Share this post on social media:

Can we keep you updated?

Yes, I'd like to get emails from the local Liberal Democrats.

Become a Member

Join the Liberal Democrats today from as little as £1 a month and help us demand better for our future.

Campaigns

We are campaigning for a more liberal, tolerant Scotland. Find out more here.

Offering New Hope for Health

The SNP cannot keep using the pandemic as an excuse for the issues the NHS is facing. 15 years of mismanagement have brought our health service to its knees. Patients and staff desperately need new hope and deserve better than ministers who seem determined to instead turn their attentions towards independence. New hope is exactly what the Scottish Liberal Democrats will offer at the elections this May.