CHILDREN in Fife in need of mental health treatment have waited collectively 197,918 days over and above the 18-week Scottish Government waiting time target since 2017.

The new figures were released by NHS Fife this week following a Freedom of Information request from the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

They showed that in 2017-18, the total number of days over the 18-week standard waited collectively to start treatment was 42,140; in 2018-19, that figure was 38,913; 2019-20 was 84,133 and 2020 to date (April-September) was 32,732.

It was revealed earlier this year that children and young people across Scotland awaiting CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) treatment waited a cumulative total of more than 2.5 million days over the target.

Former Dunfermline MP and leader of the Scottish Lib Dems, Willie Rennie, commented: "It's a scandal that so many children and young people across Fife have had their lives put on hold while they wait for treatment.

"The Scottish Liberal Democrats have been warning the Scottish Government for years that there is major public health problem coming down the tracks.

"We desperately need to see transformational investment in Scotland's mental health services.

"Our NHS staff do an incredible job but they need more money, staff and resources behind them to make sure this runs smoothly and no-one falls through the gaps."

It comes after the Press reported in April that youngsters in Fife needing mental health services were falling victim to a 'postcode lottery' with figures showing that less than £45 was spent on their care compared to more than £100 in other Scottish regions.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland expressed concern at the regional disparities, which they say are putting the mental health of children and young people at risk.

The previous month, the Press also reported that 54 young people had been waiting more than a year for vital mental health treatment in Fife.

The statistics showed an increase of 74 per cent compared to the previous year's figure of 31.

Mental health minister Clare Haughey said previously in relation to spending on children's mental health services: “The £120 million we have announced for our Mental Health Recovery and Renewal Fund is the single largest investment in mental health in the history of devolution.

“It will prioritise our ongoing work to improve specialist CAMHS services, address long waiting times and clear waiting list backlogs.”

Nicky Connor, director of Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership, said in March: “Fife CAMHS continues to prioritise children and young people with the most significant mental health needs. CAMHS is committed to ensuring that the support provided is both timely and reflects the needs of each individual.

“Despite recent improvements against the national waiting times targets, Fife CAMHS continues to work on improving the responsiveness of the service and the quality of service delivery.”