Written question WQ100922

Latest data show that, at an All-Wales level, the target waiting times for Local Primary Mental Health Support Services are being met. This means that most people receive an assessment within 4 weeks of referral, and a therapeutic intervention within 4 weeks of referral from the assessment.

The 10-year Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy outlines how we will improve access to mental health support. The strategy puts early intervention, prevention and person-centred care at the heart of mental health services, ensuring people are referred to the most appropriate form of support at the right time, without delay.

A key part of the transformation of mental healthcare is open access services, with people receiving same-day mental health support. Importantly, the shift to open access means that individuals will be able to access support without a referral, for instance from primary care. There are a number of demonstrators testing this model and the Open Access Working Group includes representatives from primary care. This transformation builds on previous work including the introduction of the Wales-wide 111 press 2 service for urgent mental health care and the provision of online cognitive behavioural therapy, which together aims to increase choice and flexibility in how support is accessed, without the need for referral.