CHILDREN in Glasgow who have mental health problems are being seen quicker than most other parts of Scotland, according to the latest figures.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's CAMHS (Children and Adolescents Mental Health Services) services saw 99% of patients within the target time of 18 weeks.

Only four health boards in Scotland achieved this rate or higher.

The average waiting time for a first appointment is now five weeks according to figures from the last four months of 2016.

The number of young people admitted to psychiatric wards has also dropped from 60 in 2009 to 7 last year.

Stephen McLeod, head of speciliast children's services at NHSGGC said: "These figures are very welcome adn reflect our long-term strong performance in this area.

"Our CAMHS team endeavours to support children and young people with severe mental health problems in community settings.

"As a result, this strategy has seen us increase access to specialist mental health teams in the community in addition to the support available from GPs, teachers and social workers."

" Encouragingly, in NHSGGC the number of admissions of young people to adult psychiatric wards has dropped from 60 in 2009 to just seven in 2016.

"This is something we try to avoid, but sometimes there is no choice but to admit children to adults wards.

"In NHSGGC we have been working very hard to reduce these numbers, as it is not in the best interests of young people.

"While we welcome today’s figures, we cannot be complacent and will continue to work to make the service as responsive as it can be to the needs of children and young people in our area.”