Mental Health Services

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:06 pm on 2 October 2018.

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Photo of Dawn Bowden Dawn Bowden Labour 2:06, 2 October 2018

Thank you for that answer, First Minister. During my recent work with health services in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, I was very struck by the high incidences of mental health problems amongst people in parts of our criminal justice system, and I took particular interest in the amount of police time being taken up by the duty of care that they hold towards such vulnerable people. I know we have some incredible initiatives, actually, to help address this, like the clinical adviser project in the Gwent force police area, a model that is soon to be rolled out in the south Wales force area. But what further action can Welsh Government take to ensure places of sanctuary are provided for people with mental health issues that, in turn, can help to free up police resources for front-line policing?