Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) correspondence: FOI release

Information requested

1. Further to the statement in the Programme for Government that the CAMHS waiting time standard will be met nationally, with backlogs cleared by December 2025, please provide a copy of all the documents which preceded and discussed the setting of this new target.

2. Does the Scottish Government have a document which shows the trajectory required to meet this target by December 2025, and is there a risk register covering the likelihood of this target being met?

3. I would also like a copy of any discussions or correspondence the Scottish Government had after setting the new December 2025 target.

4. I would also like any documents that discuss the matter of whether an equivalent target should be set for the psychological therapies target for adults, or documents that discuss when the 18-week standard may be met.

Please include copies of all correspondence, documents, reports, minutes, letters and emails.

Response

Point 1
You asked for a copy of all the documents which preceded and discussed the setting of the new target date of December 2025 for NHS Boards to achieve the standard that 90% of children and young people referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are seen within 18 weeks.

Please see Annex A to this response for a copy of documents relating to this. Exemptions under s.30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views) and s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA apply to some of information requested because it contains dialogue or reference in regards to the 2024-25 Programme for Government (PfG) prior to its publication. It also includes views based on management information. Releasing information would inhibit the free and frank exchange of views.

Point 2
You asked if the Scottish Government has a document which shows the trajectory required to meet this target by December 2025, and if there is a risk register covering the likelihood of this target being met. The answer to your question is: the Scottish Government does not have a document which shows the trajectory required for Health Boards to meet the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) waiting times standard nationally, with backlogs cleared by December 2025.

We do, however, have a risk register which covers the likelihood of this target being met.

Point 3
You asked for a copy of any discussions or correspondence the Scottish Government had after setting the new December 2025 target.

Please see Annex B to this response for a copy of correspondence and documents relating to this. Exemptions under s.30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views) and s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA apply to some of information requested. The information contains dialogue or reference in regards to the 2024-25 Programme for Government (PfG) prior to its publication. Releasing information would inhibit the free and frank exchange of views.

Point 4
You asked for any documents that discuss the matter of whether an equivalent target should be set for the psychological therapies target for adults, or documents that discuss when the 18-week standard may be met.

Please see Annex C to this response for a copy of documents relating to this. Exemptions under s.30(b) (ii) (free and frank exchange of views) and s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA apply to some of information requested because it contains dialogue or reference in regards to the 2024-25 Programme for Government (PfG) prior to its publication. It also includes views based on management information. Releasing information would inhibit the free and frank exchange of views.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202400436292 - Information Released - Annex A, B and C

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