Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on referral waiting times for adult mental health services at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board?
The latest published data, for December 2024, shows that 91% of young people (under 18 years of age) within Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board had a local primary mental health support service (LPMHSS) assessment within 28 days of referral. The health board has achieved the national target for this measure in each month since July 2024.
The health board also achieved the national target for LPMHSS assessments for adult mental health services in five of the last 12 months, with 83.6% compliance against this measure in December 2024.
In order to support sustainable improvement, the health board has continued to focus on improving staffing across mental health services and improving access to support through 111 press 2, SilverCloud and the ICAN programme.
Last month, I launched our new 10-year Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and accompanying delivery plan. This puts early intervention, prevention and person-centred care at the heart of mental health services, ensuring people are referred to the most appropriate form of support at the right time, without delay. I have been clear in my expectation for the NHS in Wales in its response to the strategy.