NDM8604 Plaid Cymru Debate - Mental health and learning disability services at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

NDM8604 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Invited Review Services Report into Mental Health and Learning Disability services at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which has assessed the progress made by the Board on 84 recommendations featured in four separate reports since 2013.

2. Regrets that of the 84 recommendations, six were categorised red, showing little or no evidence of implementation, and 41 were categorised as amber, showing only some or moderate evidence of implementation, over a decade on after the publication of the final report.

3. Believes that progress made on implementing the recommendations was undermined by the contentious decision to lift Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board out of special measures in November 2020.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) provide the required support to ensure that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board implement the recommendations of the IRS report in full and to set out clear timescales for achieving this; and

b) publish the ministerial advice that led to the decision to lift Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board out of special measures in November 2020 and any other relevant information specifying the implications on mental health provision in North Wales. 

Summary of the key themes arising from the Royal College of Psychiatrist’s Invited review of Mental Health and Learning disability services in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board - Report included from page 32

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

1. Notes that:

a) the Welsh Government commissioned the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Invited Review Services Report on Mental Health and Learning Disability Services in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, to provide an independent assessment of the progress made since 2013;

b) of the 84 recommendations made in relation to four previous reports, the Royal College of Psychiatrists found the vast majority had been implemented;

c) Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has accepted the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ report in full and will formally respond to it at its next Board meeting; and

d) the Welsh Government will continue to support Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to improve mental health and learning disability services in North Wales as part of the special measures intervention.

If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected.

Amendment 2 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new sub-point at the end of point 4:

Issue an apology to people who have lost loved ones and patients who have come to harm as a result of recommendations not being implemented and a failure to deliver improvements.