Written question WQ90066
- Asked by
- Rhys ab OwenIndependent
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 12 days
Question
What extra support is the Minister providing over the winter to mental health services?
Answer
Answered by Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
In the last two years (22/23 and 23/24) we have allocated £26.5m to health boards through service improvement funding to improve the availability of mental health service provision. This has included the establishment of 111 press 2 for urgent mental health support which has also been supported by an additional £1million to ensure 24/7, all Wales coverage. This, along with the core ring-fence funding for mental health, supports health boards to plan to meet demand throughout the year, this includes winter pressure.
We also invest in a range of easy to access support that does not need referral from a health professional. The aim is to ensure support is available when needed to take pressure of more specialist NHS services. This includes our CALL mental health advice-line, online cognitive behavioural therapy via Silvercloud and the BEAT Eating Disorder helpline.