PEOPLE in Conwy and Denbighshire are being encouraged to come forward and share their positive experiences with mental healthcare.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) is inviting people to share their messages of thanks, ahead of the Royal College of Nursing’s first Mental Health Nurses’ Day on February 21st.

This new celebration of mental health of more than 700 mental health nurses in North Wales is partly a response to a drop in mental health nursing staff across the UK. According to figures from the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the number of mental health nurses fell from 90,693 to 88,821 between 2014 and 2018, with recruitment remaining a challenge in North Wales.

Steve Forsyth, BCUHB’s Director of nursing for mental health and learning disabilities, said: “It takes a very special sort of person to be a mental health nurse, and the contribution they make in caring for people and their families cannot be underestimated.

“We have over 700 mental health nurses working in our hospitals and community services, and I am proud of each and every one of them for the fantastic care they provide.

“There are a number of ways that people can tell us when we don’t get things right, but it’s also important to celebrate the huge positive impact that our mental health nurses and healthcare assistants make for people in our community when they need it the most.

“That’s why we’re giving people an opportunity to get in touch directly to let them know how much their hard work and care is appreciated.

Submissions can be made via BCUHB's Facebook and Twitter accounts, by emailing bcu.getinvolved@wales.nhs.uk or to BCU Proud, Block 5 Carlton Court, St Asaph Business Park, St Asaph, LL17 0JG.