Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:39 pm on 13 June 2023.
Joyce Watson
Labour
1:39,
13 June 2023
Hywel Dda is strong on mental health. It's the first health board in Wales to roll out the 111 press 2 service, where people can speak to a mental health practitioner 24/7, and it's currently piloting a number of forward-thinking alternatives to admissions, like sanctuaries for children and young people. So, there's a lot of great work that is happening. But, last week, I visited Shadows Depression Support Group in Garnant, which is facing funding cuts. They are doing vital work in the community, and it would be a significant blow to lose that support. So, post COVID, can you assure residents of the Amman and Gwendraeth valleys that mental health provision will remain a priority for your Government?
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
