5. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the provision of Welsh-medium mental health services? OAQ51458

We are committed to delivering high-quality health and care services centred on individual needs and outcomes. Our 'More than just words' strategic framework sets out our commitment and actions to support and strengthen the planning and delivery of Welsh language services in health and care, including, of course, mental health services.

Thank you for that response. It is true to say that there is concern that there is a lack of support and provision available through the medium of Welsh in dealing with mental health issues at a national level here in Wales. It's extremely important, of course, that individuals with mental health problems have the assistance in the language they are most comfortable using—you come to a diagnosis more quickly and improve the quality of care in general terms. So, would you agree to look at what is currently available—including software and electronic packages available—in order to support people effectively, and how things can improve for the future? 

Yes. I'm happy to give that commitment and I recognise this is an issue that isn't about a care preference, it's about a care need; the two are different and it's important to recognise the distinction. It's also about where the active offer takes place, so people don't need to say, 'I would like to be able to access healthcare through the medium of Welsh', but actually there is an active offer for people to do that, particularly with mental health services where there are a range of challenges you've got to get over to actually access a service and recognise the need to take part in that service as well. Your point about software as well—I actually have current work already ongoing looking at the opportunities for software, looking at what exists in both English and in Welsh, and trying to make sure we appropriately equip the health and care service to do so. So, I recognise the point and I'll happily update in the future about where we get to.FootnoteLink

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