Written Question · S6W-25336 · Session 6
Further to the answer to question S6W-23198 by Maree Todd on 11 December 2023, whether it will provide clarification on whether the start o…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-23198 by Maree Todd on 11 December 2023, whether it will provide clarification on whether the start of treatment for child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) patients is the first initial appointment that they have following a referral to CAMHS, and, if this is the case, what the waiting times are for treatment following this initial appointment.
The answer
Public Health Scotland defines ‘start of treatment’ as “when a patient’s treatment starts noting that not all people who are referred go on to have treatment. Some people attend an assessment appointment, need no further treatment, and so are removed from the waiting list. Some people are offered treatment but decide not to go ahead.”
Most children and young people attend a first appointment for assessment and there are three main outcomes of that first appointment:
(i) The child or young person needs no further treatment from CAMHS but is provided with personalised and meaningful signposting. At this point the reported waiting time is stopped and they are removed from the waiting list;
(ii) Some children and young people are offered treatment but decide not to go ahead. At this point the reported waiting time is stopped and they are removed from the waiting list;
(iii) Treatment is offered and accepted; and either treatment begins at this appointment and the reported waiting time is stopped, or a treatment appointment is offered and the reported waiting time stops when that treatment appointment happens.
The waiting time to the start of treatment will depend on the complexity of each individual case, the specific intervention that has been recommended and the availability of professionals trained to provide that intervention. All children and young people offered treatment in CAMHS should meet the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) referral criteria and receive support in line with the CAMHS National Service Specification.
Most children and young people attend a first appointment for assessment and there are three main outcomes of that first appointment:
(i) The child or young person needs no further treatment from CAMHS but is provided with personalised and meaningful signposting. At this point the reported waiting time is stopped and they are removed from the waiting list;
(ii) Some children and young people are offered treatment but decide not to go ahead. At this point the reported waiting time is stopped and they are removed from the waiting list;
(iii) Treatment is offered and accepted; and either treatment begins at this appointment and the reported waiting time is stopped, or a treatment appointment is offered and the reported waiting time stops when that treatment appointment happens.
The waiting time to the start of treatment will depend on the complexity of each individual case, the specific intervention that has been recommended and the availability of professionals trained to provide that intervention. All children and young people offered treatment in CAMHS should meet the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) referral criteria and receive support in line with the CAMHS National Service Specification.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S6W-25336 by reference.