P 64
Ymchwiliad i’r Adolygiad Blaenoriaethau ar gyfer y Pwyllgor Iechyd, Gofal Cymdeithasol a Chwaraeon
Inquiry into the Priorities for the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Ymateb gan: Cymdeithas Seicolegol Prydain
Response from: The British Psychological Society
National Assembly for Wales
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Consultation on the Forward Work Programme
The British Psychological Society Wales welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Forward Work Programme of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee.
Areas identified by the Committee
The BPS welcomes the areas the Committee has identified that may be included in its longer-term work programme. In particular, the BPS supports the following:
- Waiting Times
The BPS agrees with the identification of this as an area for the Committee to examine. The inclusion of mental health services in this inquiry is most welcome and the BPS would also hope to see the Committee use this inquiry to examine outcomes alongside a focus on high waiting times and pressures in the system.
- Use of anti-psychotic medication in care homes
The BPS strongly agrees with the identification of this area for the Committee to examine. The use of anti-psychotic medication for those with dementia is an issue that demands urgent attention. The BPS very much welcomes the Committee’s intent to examine this area and the solutions that exist to reduce the use of this medication.
- Sport and Public Health
The BPS agrees this is an area that requires scrutiny. The BPS would also like to see a distinct focus on behaviour change and what behaviour change techniques can be deployed to promote and sustain increased levels of participation in sport and physical activity.
Additional areas to consider
In addition to the areas identified by the Committee, the BPS would also like the Committee to examine the following areas:
- Dementia
The BPS would like to see a broader inquiry on dementia as a follow-up to the inquiry on the use of anti-psychotic medication in care homes. This wider inquiry could focus on:
§ Access to timely psychological assessment
§ The involvement of people with dementia in their care planning
§ The level of involvement of family and carers in care planning
§ The level of ongoing psychological support available to those with dementia, their families and carers
- Obesity
As a follow-up to the Committee’s examination of sport and public health, the BPS would like to see an inquiry on obesity more broadly and the psychological interventions that can be deployed to address the challenges of overweight and obesity and the long-term sustainability of interventions.
- Suicide and self-harm prevention
The BPS would welcome an inquiry into suicide and self-harm prevention. The suicide rate in Wales is rising, particularly among certain age and gender cohorts and the reasons for this and actions to address them should be examined in greater detail.
- Prevention approach in public health
The BPS would also welcome an inquiry examining the prevention approach in public health. This would explore risky health behaviours as well as sub-optimal condition management by those with long term health conditions. The inquiry could consider approaches that exist to reduce risky health behaviours and improve condition management and how they can be brought to scale quickly and efficiently.
- Brain injury and neuro-disabilities in the criminal justice system
The BPS would welcome an inquiry into the prevalence of brain injury and neuro-disabilities among those who come into contact with the criminal justice system or who are in prison. The inquiry would also consider the health screening and rehabilitation approaches that can be deployed to improve offender outcomes.
Further Information
The British Psychological Society in Wales would be pleased to provide the relevant evidence base to support and expand upon the areas identified above. The BPS would also be pleased to identify lead academics and practitioners from across its membership to further advise on these priorities and how they may be implemented. Please contact Tanja Siggs – XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
About the British Psychological Society in Wales
The British Psychological Society, incorporated by Royal Charter, is the learned and professional body for psychologists in the United Kingdom. We are a registered charity with a total membership of over 53,000. The Society has over 2000 members in Wales.