Tayside is bearing the brunt of a national shortage of psychiatrists.
One in five vacancies in Scotland for consultant psychiatrists is in Tayside, with 10.9 posts unfilled in the health area, according to NHS figures.
Today, the Tele has learned that the shortage was having a direct impact on psychiatric patient care in the area.
Wendy Forouhar, chief executive of Dundee Association for Mental Health, said new patients are having to wait a long time to see a psychiatrist.
She said: “I have spoken with a group of people who have experience of mental health issues who attend The Willow Centre, and asked them about how the shortage of psychiatrists affects them.
“Their comments were that new patients who are perhaps seeing a psychiatrist for the first time are having to wait a long time for appointments at a time when they are really not well.
“Some people who have longer term mental health issues and see a psychiatrist on a regular basis, find that they might see a different doctor every time.
“They would prefer a more consistent approach and a familiar face.
“Ideally, people want to feel that they are able to have a relationship of trust with a psychiatrist who knows them and understands their difficulties.”
The news comes as it’s also revealed that the number of unfilled positions in the field across Scotland has quadrupled in five years.
A total of 17% of consultant psychiatrist positions are unfilled in Tayside — the equivalent of 10.9 posts, five of which have been vacant for at least six months.
Only Greater Glasgow and Clyde health boards have as high a number of vacancies.
A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said recruiting efforts were ongoing, adding: “We have ensured continuity of medical care within mental health services by employing suitably trained clinical consultants.”
Maureen Watt, the mental health minster (pictured), said the SNP administration had increased spending in mental health by 40% between 2006-07 and 2014-15.
Scottish Labour inequalities spokeswoman Monica Lennon said: “For the number of unfilled posts to quadruple in five years shows resources are not meeting demand.”