New mental health powers for Wales

Parliament has granted the National Assembly for Wales "legislative competency" over mental health.  This means that the Welsh Assembly Government can now introduce mental health legislation that will apply solely in Wales.

The new legislation is expected to provide patients with a right to a mental health assessment and (where necessary) to appropriate treatment and advocacy support.  For patients who have received specialist mental health services in the previous 5 years, there will be a self-referral route.  All new patients will be referred through their GP.

There are also plans to create a triage system within primary care to ensure that patients in the most urgent need of treatment and support are fast-tracked for assessment.  The new triage "gateway workers" will also help primary care practices to access the most appropriate support for patients with mild-moderate mental illness without the need for a formal assessment.