Minister’s ‘insulting’ response attacked

The health and social services minister for Wales has come under
fire for her “insulting” response to concerns raised about child
and adolescent mental health services.

Welsh children’s commissioner Peter Clarke claimed in his annual
report that Camhs were in crisis, with poor and patchy
provision.

Jane Hutt’s response was to insist that “a start will be made” on
investing in Camhs “during the next financial year” and that the
social services element of Camhs was a priority in the Children
First plan for local authorities.

But Kirsty Williams, Welsh assembly Liberal Democrat spokesperson
on health, challenged Hutt to ring-fence resources to improve
Camhs.

“The children’s commissioner issued you a direct challenge, which
you have dodged in your statement,” she said. “If you are not
prepared to come up with the cash, please do not insult the
children anymore by saying that this is a priority for your
government. It clearly is not.”