Health

Welsh Government unveils ten-year mental health and suicide strategies

Published

1 year ago

February 21, 2024

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has unveiled new ten-year mental health and suicide prevention strategies amid concerns about stubbornly high numbers of people taking their own lives.

Lynne Neagle launched 16-week consultations on the draft mental health and suicide and self-harm prevention strategies on February 20.

The deputy minister for mental health said the consultation documents have a clear focus on tackling inequalities in terms of access and outcomes.

She told the Senedd the strategies are separate but interconnected, recognising that suicide and self-harm are not diagnosable mental health conditions.

She said: “There is a prevailing misconception that people who die by suicide have a mental illness, and it is vital that we challenge this perception to remove the stigma.”

‘Overwhelmed’

Ms Neagle said a key theme is not to medicalise mental health: “We want to see a shift in how we talk about and support mental health issues to better reflect the needs of individuals.

“The majority of people who we might define as having a mental health issue do need support, but don’t need specialised mental health services.

“For those that need specialised mental health services, we have also been clear about how we intend to strengthen these further.”

Warning of unprecedented financial pressures, she told MSs the strategies will ensure value-based targeting of resources rather than set out a list of new funding commitments.

She said: “All available modelling suggests mental health demands will continue to increase.

“Without continued cross-government and multi-agency support, as set out in these strategies, the NHS is likely to become overwhelmed.”

‘Vital’

James Evans urged the Welsh Government to engage with as many people as possible, particularly young and middle-aged men who are more likely to take their own lives.

The Conservatives’ shadow minister also raised the importance of getting buy-in from health boards, given the challenging financial climate.

Mr Evans, who is currently steering the mental health standards of care bill through the Senedd, said: “Reducing the rates of suicide and self-harm in our society is vital.

“Suicide and self-harm, especially suicide, leaves far too many families and people and loved ones across Wales with a hole that can never be filled.”

Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s shadow minister, raised concerns about the planned reprioritisation of £15m from the mental health budget.

‘Damning indictment’

He said: “It is a tragedy and a damning indictment of how our society is failing the most vulnerable that suicide is the main cause of death for men under the age of 50.

“My own family and too many others here continue to grieve and suffer … suicide rates for both men and women remain high and well above the average for England and Wales.”

Calling for a focus on prenatal mental health, Mr Gwynfor said as many as one in four women experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the year after birth.

He told the chamber: “The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are instrumental in shaping their lifelong well-being….

“If we are to develop a truly holistic and preventative mental health strategy, it must be effective at the very start of life.”

‘Personal battles’

Jack Sargeant – who recently shared his own experience with mental health following the loss of his father, Carl, and best friend of 20 years, Jamie – welcomed the draft strategies.

He said: “I shared that experience and the experience of my own personal battles with mental health because I want to help others. I genuinely want to help others. I don’t want another family to go through what mine and Jamie’s had to.”

The Alyn and Deeside MS applauded the example set by Connah’s Quay Town Football Club, which encourages players and fans to seek support.

Jayne Bryant, a fellow Labour backbencher, who chairs the Senedd’s cross-party group on suicide prevention, raised social determinants of poor mental health.

The Newport West MS warned that poverty and inequality remain key risk factors.

‘What if?’

Huw Irranca-Davies spoke of losing a childhood friend to suicide.

The Labour MS for Ogmore said: “One of our tight little group took his own life, out of the blue – the most vivacious, the most outgoing, the most extroverted, the most talented of all of us, and I often stop and think, ‘What if?’”

Stressing that mental health remains a priority, Ms Neagle told MSs that the funding ring fenced for frontline services has increased by £25m.

“We are committed to reducing the number of people who die by suicide,” she said. “As far as I’m concerned, one person dying by suicide is one too many.

“The rates have been largely stable over the last few years, but we want to drive those rates down much further, and that’s what this new strategy is about.”

Health

Have your say on NHS changes in Pembrokeshire

Published

21 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Drop-in events planned across the county as Hywel Dda consults on future of key services

A SERIES of public events is being held in Pembrokeshire this month and next as part of a major consultation by Hywel Dda University Health Board on the future of local NHS services.

The consultation, which covers nine different areas of care, could lead to significant changes in how services are delivered at hospitals and community facilities across west Wales – including Haverfordwest, Tenby and Pembroke Dock.

The Health Board says the aim is to tackle long-standing issues, reduce waiting times, and improve standards of care.

The services under review include:

Critical care
Dermatology
Emergency general surgery
Endoscopy
Ophthalmology
Orthopaedics
Radiology
Stroke
Urology

Proposals include reorganising how and where these services are delivered – something which may affect Withybush Hospital and community clinics across the county.

Local residents are being urged to attend one of several drop-in events, where Health Board staff will be available to answer questions and gather feedback.

Public events in Pembrokeshire include:

Friday 27 June – HaverHub, Haverfordwest, SA61 1BG, 2:00pm–7:00pm
Friday 4 July – Tenby Leisure Centre, SA70 8DU, 2:00pm–7:00pm
Thursday 10 July – Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6DD, 3:00pm–6:00pm

A further event will be held in neighbouring Ceredigion at The Guildhall in Cardigan on Tuesday 8 July, from 2:00pm to 7:00pm.

There will also be a series of online consultation events, each focusing on specific service areas. People can register via the Hywel Dda website.

Lee Davies, Executive Director of Strategy and Planning at Hywel Dda, said: “No decisions have yet been made and no options have been preferred at this stage. This consultation is your chance to shape how services are delivered in the future. We are keen to hear from residents about what matters to them and how services can be improved.”

The Herald understands the proposed changes are part of the Health Board’s long-term strategy to build a more sustainable NHS in Mid and West Wales, but local campaigners have previously voiced concerns about potential downgrading of Withybush Hospital.

Pembrokeshire residents can share their views by attending an event or by completing an online questionnaire.

Full information about the proposals – including the consultation documents and registration links – is available at:
👉 hduhb.nhs.wales/clinical-services-consultation

Health

Welsh residents urged to wear sunglasses year-round, not just when it’s Sunny

Published

2 days ago

June 11, 2025

Tom Sinclair

WELSH residents could be putting their vision at risk by only wearing sunglasses when the sun is shining – with only 20% of people in Wales admitting to putting on their sunnies year-round.

Alarmingly, 50% of Welsh adults only reach for their sunglasses when it’s sunny, while just 36% wear them when the skies are overcast. This is despite the fact that UV rays can penetrate cloud cover and reflect off surfaces like water, sand and snow.

The research, commissioned by Specsavers, which polled 2,000 UK adults, also revealed that nearly 13% in Wales mistakenly believe that darker lenses offer better protection from UV rays. As a result, 23% have purchased sunglasses under this misconception, unaware that UV defence has nothing to do with the tint of the lens.

Ayad Shafiq, Cataract Clinical Lead at Newmedica, said: “Protecting your eyes from UV rays is essential to reduce the long-term risk of serious conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and even skin cancer around the eyelids. Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats can significantly lower this risk. However, it’s important to note that individuals with existing cataracts or macular degeneration often require enhanced lighting to see clearly, so their need for light must be balanced carefully with UV protection. Consulting an eye care professional can help tailor the right approach for each individual.”

The research also uncovered a range of myths and misunderstandings around eye health. Almost a quarter of Welsh respondents (23%) wrongly believe sunglasses block all types of light damage, while 20% assume sunglasses never expire – both of which are false. Furthermore, 12% of people admit they rarely wear sunglasses even when it is sunny. Among this group, 32% say it’s simply not a habit they’ve picked up, and 26% find them inconvenient due to wearing prescription glasses.

When it comes to choosing new shades, most people in Wales spend just over 30 minutes researching the right pair, with 13% admitting they don’t wear sunglasses often enough to justify putting much effort into the decision. Of those, 46% want a pair that suits their face shape and feel more confident when they like how they look in sunglasses, and 29% say it’s essential their shades match their personal style.

Despite the confusion, many people are aware of the potential long-term damage UV rays can cause – with retinal damage (41%), photokeratitis (35%) and cataracts (26%) rated most highly. However, more than a third (35%) don’t associate cataracts with UV exposure, believing the condition is purely age-related. In fact, 27% say they’ve never seen any public health messaging linking the two.

According to the research, 41% admit they don’t know much about cataracts, even though 55% are worried about developing the condition.

To book an eye test, or to find the right pair of UV protection sunglasses for you, visit Specsavers.co.uk.

Health

New equipment will help locate NHS patients’ veins

Published

4 days ago

June 9, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Thanks to generous public donations, Hywel Dda Health Charities – the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board – has funded two handheld vein viewing systems for the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit and the Outpatients Department at Withybush Hospital.

At times, due to medical conditions or patient anxiety, it can be difficult for staff to take blood samples or insert a cannula. The new vein-finding equipment, worth over £9,000, will help reduce the number of unsuccessful attempts and improve the experience for both patients and staff.

Helen Johns, Hospital Service Manager, said: “We’re incredibly grateful for the generous donations that have allowed us to purchase these two vein finders for Withybush Hospital.

“Both departments regularly take blood samples, and SDEC often needs to cannulate patients before starting treatment. As SDEC focuses on early interventions to avoid hospital admissions, any delay in treatment can impact that goal.

“This equipment will make a real difference – especially for anxious patients who may already be worried about their condition. If we can reduce failed attempts, we improve care and reduce delays.”

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, added: “The support from our local communities helps us to fund enhancements above and beyond what the NHS can provide in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. Every donation makes a real impact, and we are truly thankful.”