Burnham urges action on mental health provision for young people

9.09.00am GMT Wed 3rd Mar 2010

Eleanor Burnham, Assembly Member for North Wales has urged Health Minister Edwina Hart to acknowledge the findings of three separate reports which highlight failings in the provision of mental health services for young people.

A 2009 joint report by the Wales Audit Office and the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW), supported by Estyn and the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) was produced in November 2009. Another report, by the All Wales NGO Children's Policy Group, also expressed concerns that mental health provision is failing to meet the needs of children and young people.

Commenting, Eleanor, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Children and Young People, said, "Young people can find it extremely difficult to cope with the enormous pressures of modern society.

"There is a very real need for support for a young person's well-being and for appropriate, timely treatment if or when it is required.

"The Minister knows that services are not up to the mark - every annual report of Wales' Children's Commissioner since 2001 has highlighted the problems with provision.

"I have asked the Minister what action she has taken as a result of these reports and she assures me that work is under way. I will be looking for firm plans for significant improvement in the weeks ahead."