How is the Welsh Government ensuring full in-person access to mental health counselling in Denbighshire?
We continue to provide sustained funding to health boards for mental health services. Health boards are responsible for the planning and commissioning of services in response to local needs. We have also established the NHS Strategic Programme for Mental Health to support health boards, including Betsi Cadwalladr, to drive improvements and improve access to mental health support.
We have recently consulted on our new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and this also includes a focus on seamless mental health pathways – person-centred, needs led and guided to the right support first time, without delay. This emphasises that our mental health system must ensure that people's preferences, needs, and values are guiding a decision-making process that is made in partnership between individuals and the workforce.
We have disseminated the draft strategy widely and encouraged people to engage with the consultation to inform our future priorities. Officials are currently analysing responses which will inform our final strategy and accompanying delivery plan.