For the third consecutive quarter in a row, there has been
continued progress on waiting times for children and young
people's mental health care.
From April to June this year, 91.8% of those referred to CAMHS
were seen within 18 weeks, according to the latest statistics
from Public Health Scotland. This is a slight increase from 91.6%
in the previous quarter, and above the national standard of 90%.
Mental Wellbeing Minister said:
“I welcome the continued progress in these services – staff
across Scotland are working hard to ensure children and young
people are getting the support they need when they need it, and I
am grateful for their continued dedication.
“We have exceeded our promise to provide funding for 320
additional staff for CAMHS by 2026, and this will have
contributed to the improvements we are seeing.
“However, I am aware there is still more to do to ensure
standards are consistent across the country and we are supporting
all NHS Boards to meet the standard and continue development in
the delivery of CAMHS and all mental health services.”
Background
Child and Adolescent
Mental Health Services (CAMHS) waiting times - Quarter ending
June 2025 - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
waiting times - Publications - Public Health Scotland
The national CAMHS standard was set in 2014.
CAMHS is only the right service for a small proportion of
children and young people. To provide an alternative, the
Scottish Government provided targeted investment of over £65
million in community-based mental health support, between 2020
and 2024-25, and a £16 million annual spend on school counselling
services in addition to this. Our investment in community-based
support will continue with the baselining of the £15 million per
annum funding into local authority budgets from 2025-26.
