NHS Tayside welcomes the publication of this report and its recommendations, recognising it as an important step in the next phase for the future of Mental Health and Learning Disability (MHLD) services in Tayside.
As the report sets out, challenges remain in terms of the complicated structures and governance arrangements which are currently in place, however there is also recognition that progress has been delivered in terms of the work of our frontline teams.
Recognising the urgency to deliver progress, NHS Tayside has been developing a new direction of travel for MHLD services in key areas for delivery since July 2025. Work is ongoing to respond directly to the Audit Scotland report to ensure that the long-standing challenges in our mental health and learning disability services are addressed across the whole system.
The Auditor General gave evidence to the Public Audit Committee on 10 December 2025 and, following this, NHS Tayside was asked to provide a written submission to the Committee giving an update on progress with a number of actions in response to the Audit Scotland report.
NHS Tayside's correspondence and progress report was submitted to the Public Audit Committee on 17 February 2026 giving an update on this work in response to the Audit Scotland report.
NHS Tayside correspondence to Public Audit Committee
NHS Tayside Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Audit Scotland Progress Report
Audit Scotland 2024/25 audit of mental health services in Tayside
The Auditor General laid a Section 22 report in parliament in November 2025 in relation to mental health services in NHS Tayside. The report highlights long-standing challenges with the Whole System Change Programme, in particular complex governance arrangements, progress reporting, scrutiny and oversight, and clarity of roles and responsibilities of the groups delivering improvements.
You can read the Section 22 report here
You can read the Section 22 report here