Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has expressed shock and concern after it came to light over the weekend that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s Mental Health Act Committee has not met since last year.

The purpose of the Committee is to ensure that all the requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended) are met by the Health Board.

However, details of the Committee on the Health Board’s website show that all meetings due to take place this year were cancelled.

Commenting of the revelation, Darren said:

“To have not met since 2019 is pretty shocking and extremely concerning, especially given that the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is in special measures due to concerns over governance and its mental health services.

“We have all had to adapt and work differently due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  Zoom and Teams meetings are the norm these days. There can therefore be no excuses for not having held even a virtual meeting in the past nine months.

“Mental Health Services in the Health Board are a regular cause for concern, this Committee simply can not afford to be skipping meetings. Covid has not eradicated mental health issues!

“Patients in North Wales deserve an explanation as to why the Health Board believe that these Committee meetings are not necessary this year and I will certainly be demanding one from both the Health Board and the Welsh Government.”