Continued access to mental health care support in Ceredigion

27 March 2025

Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) is reassuring people in Ceredigion that access to urgent and non-urgent mental health support continues following recent temporary changes to referral processes.

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.

The temporary change that has been in place since 3 March 2025, was supported at a meeting of Hywel Dda University Health Board on Thursday (27 March 2025) for a period of six months and replaces a referral from the GP to the community team for non-urgent cases only.

The aim is to reduce waiting times for patients and pressure on the community team, whilst there are shortages of staff and the health board continues efforts to recruit.

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.

“Our priority is to maintain safe and efficient access to mental health care and ensure that all patients receive the support they need, when they need it" said Liz Carroll, Director of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities at Hywel Dda UHB.

"This change will enable people who need non-urgent mental health support and advice to access this much quicker than has been possible recently due to staffing pressures and enable our community teams to concentrate their support for those in greatest need.

“We encourage anyone in need of mental health support to contact NHS 111 Wales Option 2, for assistance or continue to visit their GP as they would have before."

One in four of us will experience a mental health condition at some point in our lives. NHS 111 Wales Option 2 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will be connected directly to a mental health professional from the Hywel Dda area within 10 minutes.

You can call if you need to talk to someone urgently about your mental health, if you’re concerned about a family member, or if you are not sure where to turn for advice and guidance.

The number is free to call from a landline or mobile, even if you have no credit left. You can also choose an option for someone to call you back.