Children and young people are set to benefit from better mental health support thanks to a newly developed 24/7 crisis facility in Wales.
Run by Hywel Dda University Health Board, the new estate is the first of its kind for NHS Wales and is the product of an agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.
It is expected that the facility will enable distressed children to avoid long waits in emergency departments as well as the need for acute mental health wards to admit young people for short assessments.
Buildings of a similar ilk are also being developed elsewhere across Wales, with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Swansea Bay University Health Board and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board all working on their own facilities – investment in the projects currently sits north of £3.1m.
The hubs are in support of the Welsh Government’s overall efforts to improve the way its health service responds to mental health issues, with it shortly following the launch of the mental health phoneline.
“We are incredibly proud of this innovative development that is a first for Wales,” added Hywel Dda University Health Board’s chief executive, Steve Moore.
“This pioneering Hwb is a new service that will provide a round-the-clock bespoke facility as an alternative to hospital admission. It offers a safe space for children and young people who are in crisis and would otherwise end up in either urgent and emergency care or a mental health ward.”
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