‘Virus impact on child mental health a worry’
UNDERSTANDING the mental health impact of the coronavirus crisis on children is “a real worry list” for Wales Health Minister Vaughan Gething.
The minister stressed that a mental health recovery plan will be a key priority for his department.
Mr Gething faced questions on children’s health during an online question session of the Senedd’s Children, Young People and Education Committee yesterday.
Mr Gething said: “It is a real worry list for me about how we understand the mental health impact on children and young people and to move forward so we don’t have an entire generation of children and young people who grow up with a range of damage because we haven’t thought it through.”
The minister was joined by Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services Julie Morgan for the committee questions.
The meeting followed the wellpublicised statements by Wales’ First Minister, Mark Drakeford, that the earliest schools could begin a phased reopening in Wales would be in June.
Mr Drakeford said the Government had not made any final decision on when children would return to the classroom.
Sian Gwenllian (Arfon) began the question session by asking the Health Minister how much we understand about the impact of coronavirus on children’s health.
Mr Gething said our understanding of the virus is developing across all age ranges.
“It’s still the case that children are less likely to be affected significantly by Covid-19 than people with a range of healthcare conditions,” Mr Gething said.
He said this is one of the few positives of the virus but we are still learning what role children play in spreading the virus.
Ms Gwenllian asked if there is adequate hospital capacity for children if a rare coronavirus syndrome in children was to present itself significantly in Wales.
Mr Gething said there is a plan in place for a surge in paediatric care and we can “flex up” capacity.
Dawn Bowden (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney) raised concerns regarding parents and guardians not taking children into hospital for other health problems.
Mr Gething said: ”The very clear message to parents is to please make sure that when health and care professionals are calling to help support your family please discuss your concerns with them.”
He said routine vaccinations have continued during Covid-19 lockdown. He said he doesn’t want to see an intended rise in other illnesses as a consequence of lockdown.
Ms Gwenllian asked what assessment the Government has undertaken of the impact on children’s mental health during lockdown.
Mr Gething reiterated Education Minister Kirsty Williams’ message that the impact on children’s emotional and mental wellbeing is one of the key principles in the pathway to reopen schools.
Mr Gething said the impact on mental health is one of the unknowns during this lockdown.
He said the Government is looking at how to recover not just the economy, but mental health as well after lockdown.
“That will have to be informed by an understanding of what’s happening when we get more engagement from family about the level of need,” he said.
He said it will be difficult because we are likely to “phase out” of lockdown.
Mr Gething added that mental health would become a priority for his department.
Lynne Neagle (Torfaen) asked the minister what assessment the Government has made of the risk of increased suicide rates during the pandemic.
Mr Gething said his office has commissioned a review to look into the risk of unexpected deaths during the Covid-19 lockdown.
“My understanding is we should have a report on that review by the end of this month,” he said.
He said his office would write to the committee once they have received a report.
Deputy Minister Julie Morgan told the committee they have been trying to encourage vulnerable children to go into school and childcare settings.
“In fact, we now have 890 vulnerable children attending school settings and that’s the highest number we have had at all since the opening of the scheme,” Ms Morgan said.
She admitted this was a “drop in the ocean” but it did represent progress.
Ms Morgan said they are reassured by their contact with local authorities. She said they are keeping in close contact “as far as they can” with all children who are vulnerable.
Ms Gwenllian asked why providers of childcare and pre-school nurseries aren’t receiving any support and could collapse as a result.
The deputy minister said they are looking to see if they can arrange a bespoke scheme to support the childcare sector.
“It is a very worrying situation,” she said. “They are very reliant on the fees that parents pay, and with the social distancing and the lockdown this has meant that we have to discourage children from attending.”
Ms Morgan said she is looking for a solution as it is vital for the economy that sector survives the pandemic.
Suzy Davies (South Wales West) MS asked the deputy minister what impact the pandemic has had on the family courts in Wales.
Ms Morgan said many hearings are taking place “virtually” and more complex cases have been postponed.