Patient waits 8 years for mental health aid

NHS boards under fire over therapy delays

- REBECCA MCCURDY

A PATIENT has waited more than eight years for mental health therapy, data shows.

Figures released by the Scottish Lib Dems show patients in NHS Highland, Lothian and Tayside are currently waiting more than 1000 days for psychological therapies - with the longest wait in the Highland health board area reaching 3019 days.

An NHS Highland spokesman said the case is an "outlier".

In Tayside, a patient has waited 1024 days - almost three years - for the treatment, which can include cognitive behaviour therapy.

In NHS Lothian, a patient has waited between 1855 to 1960 days, which is around five years.