Parliamentary Committee to Visit Wales
The Joint Parliamentary Committee on the draft Mental Health Bill announced last week that an evidence session will take place in Wales.
The announcement was made in an evidence session held on 10th November in Parliament, at which Welsh mental health charity Hafal gave key evidence. No details of the Welsh session were given – keep checking the Mental Health Wales website for updates.
Assembly Announces £30 Million Funds for Frontline NHS Services
Frontline NHS services in Wales are to get a £30million boost for buildings and equipment, Health Minister Jane Hutt announced this week. The goal: to bring down waiting times across Wales.
Hutt commented: “This £30million is all about improving services for patients. I want patients in Wales to be receiving the most efficient service possible and by investing in new equipment and buildings we can make this happen.”
The implications for mental health services are not yet clear, but we’ll keep you posted on any developments.
More Children on Antidepressants
In a study of nine countries, researchers at the University of London have discovered that the UK has seen the steepest rise in the prescription of antidepressants to children.
Between 2000 and 2002, the number of children in the UK being prescribed drugs to stimulate or calm the brain rose by 68 per cent. The research examined prescription records for children up to 17 in the UK, France, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the US.