§ Mr. RichardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what efforts are being taken to improve mental health facilities in Wales.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe all-Wales mental illness strategy was launched in 1989 to provide local, accessible and non-stigmatising services and so end reliance on traditional, large hospitals, many built up to 150 years ago. Health authorities, social services departments and the voluntary sector are jointly planning integrated services, with the increasing participation of service users and their carers.
Once a comprehensive pattern of services has been decided in each of the eight county-based planning units, and the costs identified, the costs will be met from a combination of local investment, reinvestment and Welsh Office funding. However, the Welsh Office is making £6.3 million available this year towards the development of new services.