
Wales: Four-year waits for children's assessments eliminated
This is part of a broader effort to reduce waiting times for children seeking neurodevelopmental assessments.
The update came in a statement by Sarah Murphy, minister for mental health and wellbeing, who outlined revised priorities for 2025-26.
Progress over the past year included the completion of the evaluation of the Autism Code of Practice and an initial consultation on the Neurodivergence Code of Practice.
Ms Murphy acknowledged the challenges families face, stressing the importance of continuing to reduce waiting times.
For 2025-26, £5.6m of the £13.7m designated for the Neurodivergence Improvement Programme will focus on further reducing these waiting times.
A target has been set to eliminate all three-year waits by March 2026.
Ms Murphy stated that some health boards have already significantly reduced waiting times, and the government will continue to invest in these areas to support their progress.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Cambrian News
7 hours ago
- Cambrian News
Reducing autism assessment waiting times 'a key priority'
Setting her priorities for the Neurodivergence Improvement Programme in 2025-26, she said 'all health boards have made progress to reduce waiting times for children's neurodevelopmental services and, as a result of service transformation and additional investment of £3m, we have eliminated four-year waits across Wales.'

South Wales Argus
7 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Wales: Four-year waits for children's assessments eliminated
The £3m investment led to 2,166 additional assessments between January and March 2025. This is part of a broader effort to reduce waiting times for children seeking neurodevelopmental assessments. The update came in a statement by Sarah Murphy, minister for mental health and wellbeing, who outlined revised priorities for 2025-26. Progress over the past year included the completion of the evaluation of the Autism Code of Practice and an initial consultation on the Neurodivergence Code of Practice. Ms Murphy acknowledged the challenges families face, stressing the importance of continuing to reduce waiting times. For 2025-26, £5.6m of the £13.7m designated for the Neurodivergence Improvement Programme will focus on further reducing these waiting times. A target has been set to eliminate all three-year waits by March 2026. Ms Murphy stated that some health boards have already significantly reduced waiting times, and the government will continue to invest in these areas to support their progress.

South Wales Argus
24-06-2025
- South Wales Argus
Welsh Government honours military during Armed Forces Week
It is honouring veterans, serving personnel, and their families. This week will conclude with a national event at Caldicot Castle on June 28, backed by £20,000 from the Welsh Government. The event will gather people to recognise the armed forces' integral role in Wales. Welsh troops, who make up around six to seven per cent of the UK's armed forces, are stationed worldwide. The Welsh Government supports the armed forces community, including those leaving service and their families, with tailored career events, educational help, and a highly regarded mental health service, Veterans NHS Wales. Ken Skates, the cabinet secretary with responsibility for the armed forces, said: "The armed forces community enriches every part of Welsh life. "This week of celebration gives us the chance to show our sincere thanks to those who serve or have served, and to reaffirm our commitment to supporting them, whatever their circumstances." The government has also introduced a GP accreditation scheme to provide veterans with care that acknowledges their unique experiences. More than 50 surgeries are now classed as 'Veteran Friendly'. Sarah Murphy, minister for mental health and wellbeing, urged more practices to join the scheme to ensure every veteran gets the 'specialist support they deserve.'