Cuts to mental health services unacceptable

First Minister John Swinney has been urged to intervene to stop “unacceptable” cuts to voluntary organisations which could leave Edinburgh without any third-sector mental health services.

- by Ian Swanson

A succession of Lothian MSPs used First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament to highlight the threatened cuts by the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board, which oversees health and social care in the Capital.

Labour's Foysol Choudhury said the organisations affected included the Stafford centre, which supported 640 people with mental health issues and was estimated to save the NHS up to £4.4 million in hospital admissions.

Mr Choudhury asked: "Given the situation in joint boards across Scotland, does the First Minister recognise that prevention will not be possible if IJBs are in permanent financial crisis?"