Welsh Government announces new target for mental health waiting times
The Welsh Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford has announced that the waiting time target for treating people experiencing mental health problems in Wales is being cut from 56 to 28 days.
(scroll down to read in Welsh)
Currently, people referred for a mental health assessment in Wales should be seen within 28 days and those who need treatment following assessment should receive it within 56 days. This 56-day assessment to treatment target has now changed to become a 28-day target to ensure people have timely access to treatment. All health boards will be expected to show progress towards meeting this new target by the end of the financial year.
Sara Moseley, Director of Mind Cymru said:
"It's great news that the Minister recognises that when anyone has a mental health problem, speedy access to services is essential in order to give that person the best chance of recovering and not becoming more unwell.
"We've just launched Mind's manifesto for Wales and ensuring that NHS Wales offers a full range of evidence based psychological therapies to everyone who needs them within 28 days of requesting a referral is one of the key things we're asking for. We know from our work with people across Wales that this is a huge issue for those of us living with mental health problems. Since launching our manifesto last week, almost all AMs have received emails from constituents sending them our manifesto and asking them to take action.
"The government's announcement falls short of what we are calling for because there will still potentially be a 28-day wait from referral by a GP to be seen by a specialist and a further 28 day wait from assessment to treatment. Two months is too long."
It's also important to recognise that a range of evidenced-based treatments needs to be available. We call on the government to ensure that people are offered the treatment most appropriate to their needs and not to rely on a one-size-fits-all approach to meet new targets. This includes making sure that talking therapies are available on a one-to-one basis as well as in groups and are actively offered in Welsh as well as in English.
This is an important announcement and a significant step but there is a way to go before everyone with a mental health problem in Wales gets access to the care they need within 28 days."
Llywodraeth Cymru yn cyhoeddi targed newydd ar gyfer amseroedd i drin pobl a phroblemau iechyd meddwl
Mae'r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, Mark Drakeford, wedi cyhoeddi y bydd y targed amseroedd aros ar gyfer trin pobl sydd a problemau iechyd meddwl yng Nghymru yn cael ei ostwng o 56 i 28 diwrnod.
Ar hyn o bryd, dylai bod pobl sy'n cael eu hatgyfeirio i gael asesiad iechyd meddwl cael eu gweld o fewn 28 diwrnod. Yn dilyn yr asesiad, dylai bod y rhai y mae angen triniaeth arnynt ei gael o fewn 56 diwrnod. Mae'r targed 56 diwrnod o'r asesiad i'r driniaeth wedi newid i fod yn darged 28 diwrnod. Bydd disgwyl i bob bwrdd iechyd ddangos cynnydd o ran cyflawni'r targed newydd hwn erbyn diwedd y flwyddyn ariannol.
Sywedodd Cyfarwyddwr Mind Cymru Sara Moseley:
"Mai’n dda o beth gweld Llywodraeth Cymru yn blaenoriaethu iechyd meddwl a lleihau’r cyfnod mae pobl yn gorfod aros ar ôl mynd at eu meddyg teulu gydag anhwylder meddyliol cyn derbyn help. Ond cam ar y siwrnai yw hon. Mae deufis o aros yn ormod. Mae maniffesto Mind yn galw am sicrhau nad oes neb yn disgwyl mwy na mis am drianiaith a bod gan bawb hawl i ystod eang o wasanaethau safonol sy’n unol a’r hyn maen nhw ei angen. Y dystiolaeth ar hyn o bryd yw bod y math o wasanaethau sydd ar gael yn amrywio yn fawr o le i le. Fe ddylai pawb hefyd gael y dewis i dderbyn gwasaneth yn y Gymraeg a gresyn mawr nad yw hyn yn rhan o’r datganiad heddiw."