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.

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, Mrs. Finch-Saunders 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.”