Labour’s inaction to address severe mental health problems is ‘utterly staggering’

Labour ministers have been accused of dragging their heels when it comes to tackling mental health waiting times within the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

There have been severe problems at the health board, with the number of people being referred for an appointment with mental health support services within 28 days dramatically fluctuating since September 2020.

But it took Welsh Government officials six months to finally meet with the chair, vice-chair, Chief Executive, and members of the senior mental health management team at the health board to discuss the problems.

Overall, just 20.8% of all patients were seen within 28 days in June 2021.

In August last year, 84.4% and of all patients were seen within 28 days, compared with just 12.2% in January 2021 and 11.4% in February 2021.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Mental Health, James Evans MS, said:

“I find it utterly staggering that it took officials from the Labour-led Welsh Government six whole months before they held a meeting with the health board to discuss the concerning figures.

 

“If Labour ministers were quick off the mark and met with officials as soon as problems were spotted, action could’ve been taken earlier, and it might’ve stopped the situation from spiralling to its current levels.

 

“While there have been some improvements since March, they’ve not been significant as only 20.8% were seen within the target time in June, and it’s imperative that this Welsh Government now stops dithering and delaying.

 

“We need to see an urgent plan from the Labour Welsh Government as to how they are going to improve these shocking figures as this is simply not good enough.”