Part of 4. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:25 pm on 3 April 2019.
Thank you for the follow-up questions. I do recognise the importance and the seriousness of this matter. Because we're not able to have full capacity, as we would otherwise want to, it's a combination of different factors in the north Wales unit compared to south Wales, but we think there are single figures of children and young people who have been placed outside of Wales because of those restrictions. So, single figures are small, but for each person there's a family and a context, and that's not the sort of care and the location of care that we want to be able to provide. It's not what the investment we've made and the capital is supposed to provide either.
On Tŷ Llidiard, specifically, that you mention, you'll be aware that we do need to make improvements to the physical estate. Part of that work has been completed; the rest of that work is due to be completed within the year 2019-20. I'll happily write to the Member and both committees that take an interest in this to give a clearer indication of when that work should be completed.
On your broader point about—. If you like, two slightly different points. One on how we assure ourselves about the quality of care out of area and out of country: that is a real challenge and that's a challenge for the commissioners and the framework that is provided and that's monitored through a quality assurance and improvement service. They undertake site audits and monitor performance, and the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee receive regular monthly returns from the two Welsh units that are currently providing care.
So, again, I recognise the point you make that you cannot always tell if someone is having suicidal thoughts. So, the challenge is about making sure that the quality of care is appropriate. That's part of the challenge about why we're not admitting some people into those units now where that is a known risk. But that's why there is regular reporting back to WHSSC, to the quality team, whilst there is an escalation process in place. And that is an enhanced escalation process—that is not the normal way of operating because we do have concerns about our capacity to safely manage care. It is not the position that I or anyone else would want us to be in. I will provide the updates I've indicated to Members and specifically to the committees, and I'll outline in more detail in my letter that I will be sending to the health committee—I'll make sure a copy goes to the children and young people's committee, because I recognise both subject committees are maintaining a direct interest in this matter—and will continue to do so until we're in a different position.