April 2016
WaMH in PC highlights Assembly election priorities
Last year WaMH in PC published a report about people’s experiences of delivering primary mental health care in Wales. Building on the recommendations from this report, we are calling on candidates in the upcoming Assembly elections to pledge that, if elected, they will do all they can to:
Improve access to psychological therapies: In our most recent practitioner survey, access to psychological therapies was identified as the biggest barrier to delivering effective primary mental health care in Wales. Although the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010 has started to improve access, we know that waiting times for one-to-one psychological therapies are still too long for too many people. We urge the next Welsh Government to build on its work over the past few years and do more to reduce these waiting times in the future.
Improve support for GPs & primary care practitioners: Our survey also indicated that mental health is becoming an increasing part of the primary care workload and that GPs and other primary care practitioners would like more support to deliver high quality care. The survey also identified that primary care workforce is feeling under pressure and would benefit from more support to look after their own mental health and wellbeing. We urge the next Welsh Government to ensure that GPs and other primary care practitioners receive more information, training and support so that they can best support people with mental health problems and look after their own wellbeing.
Improve integration between different services: Our survey also highlighted problems with communication and integration between different parts of the health service, as well as between health, local authorities and third sector services. Bureaucracy and unnecessary organisational barriers can frustrate professionals and prevent patients from getting the holistic support they need in a timely manner. We urge the next Welsh Government to improve integration between services.
The full report can be downloaded here.
How can you help?
Contact you local Assembly candidates and ask them to pledge their support for our three priority areas. You can do this on social media, by email, at local hustings events or when they knock on your door to ask for your vote. This will help us to increase awareness of the issues facing primary mental health professionals in Wales and influence the agenda once the new National Assembly for Wales starts to debate policy and legislation.
Download a PDF of our election priorities here.
