Part of 2. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport – in the Senedd at 2:49 pm on 17 May 2017.
Well, I would hope that we could have a searching but reflective conversation about this, and I’m disappointed by the tone that is struck. I don’t try to avoid scrutiny at all, but the reality is that, when looking at the period over the last few years, we’ve seen a significant rise in the number of referrals and the ability of our system to cope. There was a time when people were waiting significantly longer than they should have done, and some people do still wait too long—we have a backlog to clear—but we have made undeniable, real and significant progress. The investment decisions made over the last couple of years have made a real difference for families entering into the CAMHS system. There’s additional focus on the support that should be available outside of the CAMHS network, as well—the progress of Together for Children and Young People. There is real progress being made, and I don’t deny your right to scrutinise me, I don’t deny your right to ask difficult and awkward questions, but I do wish they could be a more reflective and a more accurate picture of the progress that really is being made. And when we see—. We’ll have figures out tomorrow across a whole range of NHS services, but NHS health boards have committed to meeting the waiting time standard for people who should be seen within 28 days of referral. They say they are confident that they will meet that standard, and I look forward to seeing the figures published, to see if they have done that. I will certainly hold them to account. There will be no lessening in scrutiny or expectation from Ministers in this Government, to make sure that people are seen appropriately and by the right service.