Following the publication of the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government, the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Wales commends the focus on prevention, early intervention and plans to improve mental health services and outcomes.
It is also calling for sustained investment in workforce and for improved clinical engagement within the development of key reforms and decision-making, including the same-day access pathways.
In his statement to the Senedd, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, outlined a number of key proposals in relation to mental health, neurodevelopmental conditions and dementia.
They include:
Working with partners to identify improvements to address the challenges associated with waiting times for neurodevelopmental assessments.
Prioritising workforce planning, recruitment, retention and skills development to ensure health and care services have the workforce required to meet both current and future demand.
Continuing work to prioritise the prevention of suicide and provide support for those who self‑harm through strengthened early intervention.
Improving outcomes for people living with dementia through earlier diagnosis, timely access to assessment and treatment including strengthened support and prevention as well as the publication of a Dementia Strategy.
Improving access to mental health support including same‑day access pathways and strengthen the no wrong door approach.
Implementing a 10‑year Digital Strategy that promotes innovation and the strategic use of AI and other emerging technologies across NHS Wales.
Professor Alka Ahuja, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Wales, said:
“We commend the Welsh Government’s focus on prevention and its commitments to improving mental health services and outcomes for people with mental illness across Wales and the College stands ready to help support these developments with clinical expertise.
“Delivering meaningful and lasting improvements will require sustained investment in the workforce. The commitment to a long-term workforce strategy is a positive step, and prioritising workforce planning, recruitment, retention and skills development will be essential to building the sustainable, skilled workforce needed to meet current and future demand for services.
“As the Welsh Government progresses reforms to mental health and mental capacity legislation, meaningful and sustainable change can only be achieved in partnership with the mental health workforce, whose expertise and experience will be critical to its success.
“Given that 75% of mental health conditions emerge before the age of 24, the Programme for Government's emphasis on mental health prevention and early intervention is particularly welcome, this has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce demand for crisis care. We would like to see better-resourced early intervention services and sustained action to ensure people can access support before reaching crisis point.
“Dementia remains one of the leading causes of death in Wales, and significant public health challenge. We are pleased to be working closely with the Welsh Government on improvements to dementia care and the implementation of the Mental Health Strategy.
“As psychiatrists, we recognise that many people are waiting too long to access mental health support. Commitments to improve access through same‑day access pathways and strengthening the ‘no wrong door approach’ are therefore important for communities across Wales. However, we are concerned that there has been limited engagement with the College on the development of the same-day access model, and there remains a lack of clarity about how this will connect with secondary care pathways.
“We look forward to working constructively and collaboratively with the Welsh Government and partners across the system to improve mental health outcomes for all.”
For further information, please contact:
- Email: press@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Twitter: @rcpsych
- Out-of-hours contact number: 07860 755896