Board agrees continuation of temporary change to Ceredigion mental health referral pathway and extension of engagement to Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire

27 November 2025

Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) has agreed to continue the temporary change to the adult mental health referral pathway in Ceredigion until March 2026.

At a meeting of the Board today, it was also agreed for a nine-week engagement process to be undertaken to understand the possible impact of making this change permanent across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire.

The decision to include Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire in the engagement reflects the health board’s aim to explore whether a single referral pathway across all three counties would improve timeliness of access; create additional clinical capacity within community mental health teams; and support a consistent, equitable model aligned with the Welsh Government’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Since March 2025, adults in Ceredigion seeking non-urgent mental health support have been directed by their GP to the NHS 111 Wales Press 2 service (opens in new tab), instead of the county’s community mental health team.

This service provides a telephone assessment by a wellbeing practitioner, supervised by a registered mental health nurse, and offers timely advice, support, and onward referral where needed.

GPs continue to refer urgent or complex cases directly to community mental health teams, ensuring continuity of care for those with urgent or complex needs.

Monitoring since March shows some positive outcomes: waiting times for routine assessments have reduced, with calls answered within two minutes on average when previously people referred to the community mental health team may have waited up to 28 days.

Reports so far indicate improved responsiveness and better integration between primary care and mental health services. Proactive follow-up occurs if patients do not contact the service within 72 hours of GP notification.

Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda UHB, said: “Our priority is to ensure mental health services remain accessible, equitable, and sustainable.

“The temporary change in Ceredigion has shown some positive benefits, and we now want to hear from people with lived experience of accessing our mental health services across all three counties before making any long-term decisions.”

Dr Warren Lloyd, Associate Medical Director for Mental Health Services, added: “This engagement is about creating a service shaped by evidence and lived experience, ensuring it works for everyone.

“We are grateful for the feedback shared by service users and stakeholders in Ceredigion so far, and we look forward to hearing from communities in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.”

The engagement period will run from Monday 8 December 2025 to Monday 9 February 2026, and the health board will work closely with mental health organisations and charities across the region.

Members of the public can also share their views by completing the online questionnaire at www.haveyoursay.hduhb.wales.nhs.uk (opens in new tab), calling 0300 303 8322 and selecting option 5 for ‘other services’ or emailing ask.hdd@wales.nhs.uk from Monday 8 December 2025.