7. Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Update on Ukraine

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:07 pm on 17 May 2022.

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Photo of Sioned Williams Sioned Williams Plaid Cymru 5:07, 17 May 2022

(Translated)

Thank you for your statement, Minister. There was a report in the Guardian recently that some refugees from Ukraine that have come to the United Kingdom were having to wait up to two years before being able to receive specialist therapy to help them deal with the atrocities that they have faced as a result of the war. We, of course, can't imagine the pressure on these people who've seen such things, who have felt such pain, anxiety and uncertainty, who've lost their homes, their careers, the future that they had planned for themselves, and, of course, who've lost loved ones, friends, neighbours and who have, unfortunately, suffered violence and sexual violence.

The chaos and the delays of weeks while they wait for visas or means to travel to the UK also cause and intensify mental health issues for those who find themselves in a situation of such stress and anxiety. The report noted that services across the United Kingdom were piecemeal in nature, with some areas described by the charity Room to Heal, which provides support to people who have fled persecution, as deserts in terms of the availability of treatment for trauma. The Royal College of Psychiatrists has also stated that the plans that are in place to welcome refugees should have included a mechanism to identify the signs of trauma early on.

We know, of course, that the whole experience of fleeing from war will have a particularly harmful impact on children, to the point where it could even change their personalities and cause long-term psychological harm. Again, Save the Children has stated that there is a lack of mental health support available to children who have been severely traumatised and who are arriving here from Ukraine. Beyond being able to access NHS care, officials at the Department of Health and Social Care in England haven't referred to any specific provision to offer trauma support to refugees who have just arrived on our shores.

The Welsh Refugee Council has noted that the major concern of those who arrive here having fled is the level and type of support available to them to be able to access public services, such as mental health treatment. And it's estimated that there are waiting times of up to two years at present in some parts of the United Kingdom, as I said.

So, could the Minister tell us what the situation is in Wales regarding the support available to facilitate access to specialist services like these? What mental health services for trauma support, in particular, are currently available in Wales for those fleeing Ukraine, beyond general access to NHS care? And, could the Minister also provide figures for the waiting times and lists for mental health and trauma services, please? Could we, in Wales, commit additional funding to our mental health services to cope with increased demand, and ensure that those who have suffered trauma because of war receive appropriate treatment? Thank you.