Will the Minister provide an update on the uptake of the 111 Press 2 service by residents in Denbighshire?
The 111, press 2 service is now available in every health board in Wales, providing urgent mental health support to people of all ages 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The service provides rapid access to advice, assessment and de-escalation from a specially trained mental health practitioner, over the phone. Where required, individuals can be seamlessly referred into specialist mental health services or to self–help support.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has had coverage from January 2023 for 15 hours each day, and 24/7 since March 2023. NHS operational data shows 408 calls have been received from the Denbighshire area between 1 January and 26 June.
Data from the service will help us identify unmet needs and gaps in provision to inform future service improvements. This is a new service and we do expect some variation initially, but extensive data from the service is reviewed regularly to monitor and support improvements.