by Bill Heaney
Anas Sarwar will today pledge that a Scottish Labour government will protect Scotland’s NHS and free up frontline staff by tackling Scotland’s mental health crisis.
The Scottish Labour leader will say Scotland needs change after 20 years of SNP government and that a Scottish Labour government will fix the mess, get the basics right and build a better future for Scotland.
Scottish Labour will say that after years of SNP failure, too many people in mental health crisis are not getting the specialist help they need, while overstretched frontline NHS staff are left picking up the pieces in a system that is not working.
Under Scottish Labour’s plans, people in mental health crisis would get specialist NHS support through a new emergency mental health response service staffed by specially trained paramedics, nurses, and mental health professionals, rather than being left with a police response alone.
Mr Sarwar also pledged that the changes will mean more police officers on the frontline and save time across our emergency services, as the new emergency service would free police officers to deal with crime.
The party said that would be part of a wider package to give mental health the parity of esteem it deserves and make sure patients get the right support at the right time, while easing pressure across the NHS.
Scottish Labour’s plans include a new national neurodevelopmental pathway so neurodivergent people can get the right support instead of being trapped on inappropriate mental health waiting lists; community mental health professionals in GP surgeries so patients can get help sooner, expanded self-referral pathways through digital therapies and community walk-in services, and better support for children and young people on CAMHS waiting lists through dedicated Community Link Workers in every CAMHS team.
Scottish Labour also said it would ensure more NHS funding is spent on mental health so that Scotland matches the proportion spent elsewhere in the UK.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, right, said: “Our NHS is not safe with John Swinney and the SNP, and nowhere is that clearer than in mental health care.
“Too many people in crisis are being let down, too many families are left without the support they need, and too many frontline staff are working under intolerable pressure in a system that is not giving patients the right care.
“It means children on waiting lists for years, patients suffering when treatment is available, and frontline emergency workers pulled away from dealing with other issues.
“I’m standing to fix the mess, get the basics right and build a better future for Scotland.
“A Scottish Labour government will put our NHS first and give mental health the parity of esteem it deserves.
“That means specialist emergency mental health care for people in crisis, community support in GP surgeries, better help for children and young people, and the right pathways for neurodivergent people so they are not left stuck on the wrong waiting lists.
“This is how we protect patients, support staff and free up frontline workers to focus on the care they do best.
“On May 7, vote for Scottish Labour on both votes for the change Scotland needs.”
Top of page picture: Gartnavel Royal Hospital at Anniesland in Glasgow.