Call for action after 'very worrying' rise in number of Caithness people admitted to psychiatric hospital in Inverness.

A NORTH MSP has called for action to improve mental health services following a "very worrying" rise in the number of Caithness people admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Inverness.

Rhoda Grant hit out after figures showed an increase of over 50 per cent in the admissions to New Craigs hospital between 2019 and 2020. The increase contrasts with slight rises or falls in other areas of the Highlands.

The statistics which were obtained by a local man following a Freedom of Information request, reveal that the number of Caithness people admitted to the hospital went up from 26 to 42 in that year. In Easter Ross, the figure dropped from 30 to 29 and from 12 to 9 in Badenoch and Strathspey. There was an increase in Inverness from 177 to 180 and from 26 to 27 in Lochaber.

Mrs Grant, the Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, said: "These figures are very worrying indeed, compared to other areas of the Highlands where patient numbers are only changing by a small amount.

"I have been pressing NHS Highland to meet with Caithness organisations involved in mental health issues for some time and I am still hopeful that this will take place despite delays.

"We must listen to what local communities are telling us about the lack of health services in their area and centralisation is not the answer.

"I am calling on the health authority to take action to improve adult mental health services and want to work with them and local organisations to find a solution."

Caithness Sutherland and Ross SNP MSP, Maree Todd, said: "The figures demonstrate a significant rise in admissions to New Craig’s from those residing in Caithness in comparison to other areas of the Highlands. I will be meeting with the chief executive of NHS Highland next week and will raise this issue in order to gain a better understanding of the reasons behind this. I also intend to raise the wider issue of mental health provision in Caithness."

Far north Liberal Democrat MP, Jamie Stone, said: "From my own personal dealings with constituents, mental health has become a particularly acute issue during the pandemic and especially in Caithness. The UK and Scottish governments both needs to understand this and redirect the necessary resources required to restore people’s health and put mental health treatment on parity with physical treatment.

This is something I continue to keep a close eye on. The figures go some way to highlight the particular situation in Caithness and it must be taken more seriously."

A spokesman for NHS Highland said: "There is no obvious reason for the difference in Caithness as opposed to other areas between 2019 and 2020, however the service will be exploring this further."

He added: "We always aim to support people to remain at home wherever possible and each recorded admission is based on individual patient need. All areas, including Caithness, have similar primary care and multi-disciplinary community mental health teams to provide this support and interventions but there will be occasions where hospital admission is required for adults, older adults and people with learning disabilities."

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