5 health boards missing key drug and alcohol waiting time target

Responding to the news that in the quarter ending 30th September, 5 health boards missed the government waiting time target for drug and alcohol treatment, which states that 90% of referrals should be seen within 3 weeks, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:  

“Extended waits for those in urgent need can be a matter of life and death.  

“By failing to move beyond the well-meaning words and promises, this SNP government has presided over a public health disaster and drugs deaths emergency that is now many times worse than anywhere else in Europe.  

“I want to see the Scottish Government delivering radical and transformational action to help all those suffering. That must mean protecting the drug and alcohol budgets and supporting local authorities so that everyone can access care when they need it.”