Chamber and committees

I am going to reflect on exhibit 3 in the report. It is a chart that shows the variations among health board areas for psychological therapies appointment types. It is for the year 2022. Does anybody want to comment on why there are such huge variations?

For me, what comes out of this evidence, and I cited an example last week, is the big difference between the number of face-to-face appointments in NHS Ayrshire and Arran, for example, where the figure is as high as 86 per cent, and an area that Graham Simpson and I represent, NHS Lanarkshire, where the figure is just 32 per cent—less than a third of appointments there are face to face and 68 per cent are conducted through remote video and telephone links. Does anybody have a view on why two areas with a slightly different population size but a more or less similar demographic have such a big variation? Richmond Davies, do you have any perspectives on that?

Tracey McKigen, you have a rather more urban landscape in the Lothians. I wonder whether you have a perspective on the recommendation on face-to-face versus remote consultations.

Let us go back to the variability question, which Simon Burt wants to come in on.

Thanks. We will certainly return to workforce planning and some of the other points that you raise. We are pressed for time, so I will move to questions from the deputy convener, Sharon Dowey.

You have described all the increased needs. In an area such as East Ayrshire, the cost of living crisis and the pandemic have presumably heightened need in the community that you serve. Is that a fair assessment?

Right. Thanks very much.

I have to report that Pamela Cremin in the Highlands was having some technical difficulties, but I think that they have now been solved. I will endeavour to bring her in on the next set of questions. I turn to Willie Coffey to put those questions.

We lost connection with Jillian Galloway, but it has been restored. I invite Jillian to give any reflections that she has on the point about the governance arrangements with IJBs that Colin made.

I am sorry, Simon, but I think that Hannah Axon wants to come in on that question. Do you want to come in on that question as well as on your earlier point?

I think that Fiona Davies and Simon Burt indicated that they wanted to come in on the data question. Does Fiona Davies want to come in first? I will then bring in Simon Burt. I do not know whether Pamela Cremin has a view on that, as well, before we move on.

Thank you for that forbearance, Willie, it is much appreciated.

May I come back on that very last point, Richmond? You talked about CAMHS, which is extremely important to all of us, and it is something that the Parliament has concerned itself a great deal with. This report is about adult mental health, so can you tell us a little bit more about what data collection there is on people’s experience of adult mental health, and what those outcomes are?