SNP freeze on mental health funding criticised by campaigners

A freeze on governing administration funding for psychological health in Scotland has been criticised by campaigners in the wake of the SNP’s controversial finances.

Additional than a dozen charities and groups that make up the Scottish Psychological Well being Partnership (SMHP) have voiced problem immediately after economic help from Holyrood was held at £290.2 million, the identical as in the prior two many years.

A assertion agreed by the SMHP, whose customers include charities this sort of as the Samaritans and the Scottish Affiliation for Psychological Wellness, as perfectly as the British Psychological Society and the Royal Higher education of Typical Practitoners, claimed it is “extremely disappointed” there has been no increase in funding.

It added: “With an formidable psychological overall health and wellbeing method now agreed, SMHP was anticipating new financial investment to supply moves in the direction of prevention and neighborhood base supports.”

Lee Knifton, the SMHP chairman, said it represented a “large” cut in true conditions and was a skipped prospect for psychological well being.

“There is no sign that the Scottish Federal government will fulfill its individual goal of rising psychological health and fitness shell out to 10 per cent of the NHS budget, no boost to the psychological well being directorate spending budget for the second successive 12 months, indicating a massive slice in authentic conditions, and no new investment decision for preventative function,” explained Mr Knifton.

“We are eager to begin doing the job with Authorities to produce on the new method but experienced envisioned to see psychological health and fitness as a priority for new investment decision. As a substitute, we see additional cuts to a procedure that is presently overstretched.”

Maree Todd, the SNP minister for psychological wellbeing explained the Scottish govt is furnishing £14.2 billion for NHS boards to help services, giving an uplift exceeding block grant consequentials from the United kingdom Authorities. It indicates that resource funding for wellness and social care has extra than doubled since 2006-07.

“In the experience of United kingdom Govt austerity, this involves an boost of just about £550 million (4.3 per cent) for NHS front-line boards – a serious-expression improve of almost 3 for every cent.

“More than £1.3 billion will aid mental wellbeing products and services, with £290.2 million direct expenditure – a lot more than doubled considering that 2020/21 – enabling report quantities of team to give more diverse support and solutions to a greater number of men and women than at any time ahead of.”

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