Continued access to mental health care support in Ceredigion

Due to the lack of medical and nursing staff in Gorwelion and Hafan Hedd Community Mental Health Teams in Ceredigion, routine adult mental health referrals will no longer be facilitated by the teams. This will be a temporary service change for six months.

People who visit their GP and need further non-urgent mental health support will now be asked to phone the NHS 111 Wales Option 2 mental health support service.

NHS 111 Wales Option 2 puts the patient in direct contact with a local mental health wellbeing practitioner, who is supported by a registered mental health nurse at all times, enabling quick access to mental health advice, assessment, and support.

GPs can continue to refer patients with the greatest need to the community team. GPs also have access to a professional 111 support line if they are concerned a patient may not call the service as advised, or if the patient is unable to do this themselves.

The Community Mental Health Team will continue to accept urgent referrals for assessment from GPs for patients with a higher risk of a mental health emergency and who need to be seen in person within the next 24 hours by the Mental Health Team.

To summarise, the 111 option 2 is a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) service staffed and managed by Hywel Dda Mental Health practitioners and includes:

1. Immediate access to mental health support: Individuals in need of mental health assistance can quickly connect with trained professionals through the 111 option 2 service.
2. Streamlined referral process: By centralising mental health referrals through 111 option 2, we can simplify the process and reduce potential delays in access to care. Those requiring face-to-face assessment with Community Mental Health Team can receive such an assessment in a timely and responsive manner.
3. Crisis intervention: Individuals in mental health crises can receive immediate support and guidance through the 111 option 2 service, helping to prevent escalation and ensure safety

The Hywel Dda University Health Board Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Team would like to understand how this urgent temporary change will impact patients and is inviting you to share your views by completing the short questionnaire below.

Alternatively, you can contact the Health Board to feedback your views to us:

• By telephone to the Health Board’s Communications Hub on 0300 303 8322 (option 5)
• By requesting a paper version of this survey and returning a completed survey by post to FREEPOST HYWEL DDA HEALTH BOARD. To request a paper version please email Hyweldda.Engagement@wales.nhs.uk

Please feedback your views by 14 July 2025.