Mental Health Services

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:59 pm on 30 January 2018.

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Photo of Janet Finch-Saunders Janet Finch-Saunders Conservative 1:59, 30 January 2018

Thank you, First Minister. I have previously raised with you my immense concerns, on behalf of my constituents, about the current mental health provision in the Betsi Cadwaladr board in north Wales. Last term, I referenced correspondence from Professor David Healy, who is a widely respected consultant psychiatrist in north Wales. At that time, he raised issues around staff morale, suitability of staffing arrangements and the exit of senior nurses from the service. Again, a recent letter, which I've now received a copy of, from Professor Healy to the Cabinet Secretary, raises further concerns and notes that, following his visits to some mental health services within the Betsi board, in his words, in the Hergest unit, he was presented with a scene from Dante's purgatory or hell. On arrival at Roslin mental health centre, he found an equally apocalyptic scene. This theme correlates directly with constituents' views when they come to see me needing desperately this support. He finishes by saying that you now have every locum in the UK steering clear of here and patients finding themselves in settings unimaginable a few years ago—it's an extraordinary fall from grace.

Now, this service, First Minister, is failing and was, in fact, the primary trigger for the special measures being put in place. Two and a half years later, this service is in a mess. The response from the Cabinet Secretary shows disinterest. Will you take this matter seriously?