Stirling candidate shares son's three-year wait for crucial mental health help
A Stirling candidate for the next Holyrood elections is urging parents and carers to contribute to an inquiry on ADHD and autism support before a deadline later this month - amid her own family's wait for help.
Labour's Scottish Parliamentary candidate Dr Kainde Manji has joined with the party's candidate for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, Suzanne Grahame, to encourage people from across their areas to give their views on waiting times for treatment for autism and ADHD.
The Scottish Parliament Health, Social Care and Sport Committee is undertaking an inquiry into Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) pathways and support.
The inquiry seeks to: understand why waiting times for diagnosis and management of ADHD and ASD are reportedly long, including the drivers of increasing demand; understand how these conditions are diagnosed and managed; understand the impact of delays on individuals; and explore solutions to improve capacity of services, referral pathways and support.
A recent Royal College of Psychiatrists report shows that NHS Forth Valley spent just 0.51 per cent of their budget on children and young people's mental health, despite a target to hit one per cent of overall funding on CAMHS.
Stirling candidate Dr Kainde Manji has personal experience of the impact of delays.
She said: 'This inquiry is long overdue and I commend the Scottish Parliament Health, Social Care and Sport Committee inquiry for undertaking it.
'I would also urge local families to get in touch and share their experiences with the committee.
'My son has been on a waiting list for diagnosis for ASD since he started P1. Three years on and we are still no closer to getting the answers we seek.
'I know only too well the impact that delays and unclear pathways in the system are having on families like mine. We are letting our young people down by allowing things to carry on as they are.
'I think everyone recognises that demand for these services has risen, and there is real pressure on staff, who are working incredibly hard.
'But what is not acceptable is families left wondering when they will access the treatment and support they so desperately need.'
Clackmannanshire and Dunblane candidate, Suzanne Grahame added: 'Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health & Social Care Partnership have identified mental health issues as the leading cause of ill health in Clackmannanshire, so this inquiry cannot come soon enough.
'Having spoken to several local families about this issue I am aware of the perception that, despite repeated reassurance from the health board, accessing diagnosis and treatment is getting harder, with longer waiting times.
'Many families are struggling to cope and they have been given no clear understanding of the pathway towards treatment.
'This inquiry will hopefully shed some light on the situation and provide a much clearer picture of what is happening right across the country, including here in Forth Valley.
'I hope local families will take the opportunity to share their experiences with the committee.'
A digital platform has been set up by the Scottish Parliament to collect the views and experiences of individuals seeking pathways to diagnosis, treatment and support for ADHD and ASD - see: engage.parliament.scot/group/31500.
Local organisations and professionals supporting those with ADHD and ASD are also invited to provide views to the committee.
The platform will close for submissions on August 18.
A spokesperson for NHS Forth Valley said: 'Significant investment has been made in developing and improving mental health services and support for children and young people across the area.
'This, along with other changes, has led to NHS Forth Valley having some of the lowest waiting times in Scotland for CAMHS and meeting or exceeding the national target since February 2024. Ninety per cent of children and young people referred are seen within 18 weeks.
'However, like other NHS Boards across Scotland, we have seen a significant increase in referrals for children with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism or ADHD. These children are normally referred to our paediatric service not CAMHS unless they also have a mental health condition.
'Due to the large increase in demand, some families are experiencing longer waiting times for neurodevelopment services and work is currently underway to explore options to increase capacity and reduce waiting times.
'However, it is important to highlight that families do not need a formal diagnosis of autism or ADHD to access additional support for their child as a range of services and support for children with neurodevelopment conditions is provided by local councils, education and some charitable organisations.'
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