Huge strain on mental health services

MENTAL health services are under huge strain in Dumfries and Galloway – as support requests from the public rose by nearly 40 per cent last year. When asked on Tuesday how the council’s mental health team was coping with demand, the region’s chief social work officer replied: “Just.” An ageing population and high number of patients with dementia and learning disabilities has resulted in a swollen caseload for the limited number of mental health officers (MHO). Speaking at the council’s social work committee, Lochar Councillor Linda Dorward said: “There’s an increase in need for mental health services of nearly 40 per cent, mainly due to increases in guardianship requests, which is most common for people with learning disabilities or dementia. “Is that the rationale for it? Are we seeing an increase in that? “In terms of capacity and resourcing, are we coping with that?” Stephen Morgan, the region’s chief social work officer, said: “In relation to your question around the increase in mental health officer activity, it is welfare guardianships – you’re absolutely right. “We are also seeing an increase in familial guardianships as well across the region. “It is largely down to older people, advancing medical conditions, cognitive disorders etc. Dementia, people with learning disabilities, and increasing numbers from childhood to adulthood. “When we have any level of detention certificate, it is a very time-consuming piece of work.” Mr Morgan explained there are very few mental health officers available in this region and nationally. He added: “You asked how we’re coping – just. “It is difficult, but we will prioritise work. We also constantly ask other social workers within our service if they’d like to become an MHO, as there’s a nine-month training course for that. “We are successful to varying degrees depending on development.” The social work report tabled at the meeting explained that there were a total of 11,079 contacts with adult social service last year, which resulted in 4557 new referrals. Castle Douglas and Crocketford Councillor Pauline Drysdale, chair of the social work committee, said: “There’s a crisis across Scotland to say the least, and I know the teams are pushing and working with the IJB (Integrated Joint Board) and NHS. “We should have new figures by June and new ideas coming forward.”