Can I thank the Chair for his introduction and quite detailed explanation of the report? It doesn't leave us much to say. Can I also thank the clerking team and the witnesses who came before the committee? 

Dirprwy Lywydd, we regularly discuss in this Chamber the way in which Wales addresses mental health provision. In fact, we just had a debate that highlighted very much mental health and how we tackle that and the prevention of suicide. We often reflect upon the ability to deliver crisis care and care and treatment planning, sometimes linked to physical health care and sometimes, as well, to mental health care. Just look back at the debates of the past few years, both on the health and social care committee's reports and on the children and young people committee's reports. They've produced several reports around mental health in particular.

Now, we all know the figures. I know it's often quoted: one in four will suffer from mental health. And it's hugely frustrating that this still exists in society. There remains a stigma about mental health, and that, undoubtedly, stops people from speaking out and getting the support they need, though I am pleased to see action being taken to change that and I very much support all the steps being taken to do so. 

There are many recommendations in the report, and I'm pleased that the majority have been accepted by the Government or accepted in principle. However, I have concerns regarding the rejection of recommendation 11. I have had representations from many organisations in my role as chair of the cross-party group on mental health around crisis care and care and treatment planning and the pace at which previous recommendations and actions for their consequent delivery has been undertaken. 

Now, we all recognise that the mental health crisis care concordat is an ambitious agreement between Welsh Government and partners to improve the care and support for people experiencing or at risk of a mental health crisis. The concordat is underpinned by the following four core principles and expected outcomes: effective access to support before crisis point; urgent and emergency access to crisis care; quality treatment and care when in crisis; and recovery and staying well. Providing excellent crisis care requires a resolute focus on the person experiencing crisis, recognising them as an individual in need and responding in a person-centred way. The concordat makes clear that supporting individuals experiencing crisis is a multi-agency responsibility, which requires a joined-up approach, and we must not lose sight of the key issue: the needs of the person experiencing a mental health crisis.

The committee heard that since 2015, when the concordat was introduced, there has been a 90 per cent reduction in the number of individuals detained in police cells who are in mental health crisis, so it can help. Whilst this inquiry looked specifically at the use of section 136, recommendations, if implemented effectively and with pace, can have a broader impact and support the delivery of transformative change, which was the ambition of a crisis care concordat. The Twilight Sanctuary in Llanelli—the first of its kind in Wales—is an example of partnership working under the concordat with Dyfed Powys Police, Carmarthenshire County Council and Hywel Dda health board, having commissioned the service working with Mind and Hafal. I look forward to seeing the reflection of the good practice in Llanelli being introduced across Wales. 

I'd also like to discuss recommendation 8, which is based around care and treatment planning. Care and treatment planning is vital to people, irrespective of whether they're suffering with a physical health condition or a mental health condition. However, for those living with mental health illness, the failure to deliver a holistic care and treatment plan can be hugely detrimental, and we can see many getting caught in the revolving door of coming out, going back in, coming out, going back in and being detained. We've still not seen enough progress on care and treatment planning. Effective care and treatment plans are a great tool to prevent crises from occurring, as well as ensuring that people, whether it be those suffering with mental health or their carers and families, know how to access urgent support when they need it. However, there is significant evidence to show that care and treatment plans, in particular crisis plans, are not being used effectively. We are falling short in this area, and as a Welsh Government it's important that we must ensure that this is addressed as a matter of urgency. 

Now, I raised this during business questions back in November, and I raise it once more here: we must get the care and treatment plans right and we must ensure that those people using them have confidence in their care and treatment plans and don't feel that they're merely warm words that do not deliver for them. Dirprwy Lywydd, mental health care, whether it be in the community or in police custody, must continue to improve and we must do more.