6. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Well-being: Update on the Substance Misuse Delivery Plan 2019-22

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:15 pm on 25 January 2022.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Lynne Neagle Lynne Neagle Labour 5:15, 25 January 2022

Thank you very much, John, for those points. Just to reassure you, it's not just the one letter that we've written to the UK Government expressing concerns about their approach to partnership with us on these very important issues. Obviously, those discussions are going on on a regular basis with our officials. I attended, on behalf of the Welsh Government, the UK drugs summit, where I also emphasised the need for there to be that very strong partnership, and I think it's something that the other devolved nations would certainly endorse as well, really.

In terms of organisations having to face both ways, I recognise the challenges with that, but I hope that those organisations recognise that we are prioritising funding for substance misuse in Wales, and that's something that hasn't happened in other countries in the UK. We've protected that funding, and we're continuing to increase that funding. We're also very committed to having a strong partnership with organisations, and I've met with the group of organisations that we connect with regularly in Welsh Government to listen to their concerns. So, we're trying to do what we can to make sure that we have that dialogue going forward.

In terms of the issues around funding that you've referred to, obviously we want the funding to reach the front line. Much of the funding, as I've said, goes out via area planning boards, so that that can be targeted to local needs, which is very important. But I would be expecting area planning boards to be having that partnership with the third sector in the same way as we do at Welsh Government level. I've been very clear since coming into post, across the board, really, about how important the third sector is, and for them to have an equal voice, really, in discussions.

You're absolutely right to highlight the challenges with people with co-occurring conditions and dual diagnosis. Just to assure you that we are doing our best to address those challenges. We're working with area planning boards to improve the outcomes for individuals who experience co-occurring conditions, and we've issued a range of guidance on the subject, including a substance misuse treatment framework. All APBs are meant to have a service framework in place to respond to this issue, but, because of the challenges we've been encountering that you've referred to, we are seeking further improvements in this area, and we've established a deep-dive group of experts and practitioners to advise on how we can remove barriers to progress. That group was first established pre pandemic. It meets quarterly over Teams, and the next meeting is on 9 March. It has clinicians and operational staff as well as representation from academia, the third sector and the criminal justice system. Also, in addition to trying to break down those systemic problems, we're also investing more money again in the budget to make sure that we can focus on the needs of these groups.