Written question WQ89742
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
What measures have been taken by the Welsh Government to tackle suicide in the veterinary profession?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
The Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of those in the veterinary team, including students, veterinary nurses, veterinary surgeons and practice managers. MMI was launched in 2015 and is funded and run by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses in the UK.
Preventing suicide is a priority and we have targeted additional funding to support this agenda. This funding has strengthened the infrastructure in Wales to prevent suicide and self-harm. This includes with National and Regional Suicide and Self-harm Co-ordinators and local multi-sectoral partnership arrangements. We have also implemented Real Time Suicide Surveillance in Wales which provides information to support preventative action and to ensure appropriate support can be provided.
We also have a Cross-Government Strategic Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Group which reflects that we all have a role to play in preventing suicide in Wales and reflects our cross-Government commitment to this agenda.
We are developing a new Suicide and Self-Harm Strategy for Wales which will set our commitment to support groups identified most at risk, this includes by occupation.