In marking Mental Health Awareness Week, as organised by the Mental Health Foundation, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has written to the Royal College of GPs in Wales to propose collaboration on work to improve access to local services.
A copy of this letter is enclosed. At the close of the Fifth Senedd, Janet questioned the Minister for Health on a proposal by the RCGP Wales to institute a dedicated mental health worker at each GP practice.
Commenting on the need for improvements, Janet said:
“The impact of the pandemic on our physical and mental health cannot be understated. This is why I marked Mental Health Awareness Week with a letter to the Joint Chair of the Royal College of GPs in Wales, to make clear my unreserved support for proposals to institute a dedicated mental health worker at each GP practice across Wales.
“In line with this year’s theme of connecting with nature, I would also wish to see an increase in the use of green prescribing as the great outdoors – and our wonderful local landscape in particular – is a proven natural healer.
“As RCGP Wales has rightly concluded, improving access would ensure that patients are provided with a balanced discussion to allow for a review into what support is wanted and what assistance is available, bringing an end to the worrying trend of turning to medication.
“For this reason, I have made clear my desire to work in collaboration with the RCGP to push forward the questions which will improve local mental health access, and perhaps even author a future legislative proposal, to see our ideas fully realised by officials in Cardiff Bay.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- A copy of Janet’s letter to Dr Peter Saul is enclosed.
