Gregor Poynton wrote directly to the Scottish Government outlining the issues raised and calling for urgent action.
Gregor Poynton MP has secured a meeting with the Scottish Government’s Minister for Mental Wellbeing following a CAMHS Crisis Summit held in the Livingston constituency.
Parents, young people, NHS representatives and mental health organisations came together to discuss the growing pressures facing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
The Summit, organised by Mr Poynton, brought together families and young people who have experienced lengthy waits for assessment and support from NHS Lothian CAMHS.
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A further session brought together NHS Lothian and third sector organisations supporting young people who are still waiting to be seen, diagnosed or offered treatment. Both meetings revealed shared concerns around long delays, limited support and the increasing strain on families across the Livingston constituency.
After the summit, Mr Poynton wrote directly to the Scottish Government outlining the issues raised and calling for urgent action. The Minister has now responded and agreed to meet early in the new year to discuss the concerns in detail.
Mr Poynton said: “Families and young people in the Livingston constituency and across Lothian have been waiting far too long for help.
“The CAMHS Crisis Summit demonstrated the seriousness and urgency of the situation, and I am pleased that the Minister has acknowledged this and agreed to meet.
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“I look forward to pressing for immediate improvements so that young people get the support they need sooner.”
Mr Poynton also referenced Scottish Labour’s recently launched NHS Mental Health Service Plan, which proposes a new national approach to responding to mental health emergencies.
The plan includes declaring a national Mental Health Emergency and creating a dedicated Mental Health Emergency Response Service that would ensure specialist NHS professionals, not police, respond to 999 calls involving young people or adults in crisis.
Mr Poynton added: “Too often people in crisis are met by the police because the system does not offer an alternative response.
“This approach can add pressure and make the situation even worse. Our plan would ensure that specialist care begins from the moment help is requested, which is the standard families and young people deserve.”
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