Welsh mental health leaders unite to drive national change
More than 130 leaders from across NHS Wales, partner organisations and people with lived and living experience recently attended the Mental Health Leadership Exchange - a three‑day event, facilitated by NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, which focused on collaboration, innovation and building readiness for improvement and change.
Bringing together clinical leaders, operational teams, policy colleagues and experts by experience, the event marked a key step in preparing the system to implement the new national Open Access Mental Health Support model for mental health, and in mobilising demonstrator projects that will shape the next phase of delivery.
The first day set the tone, opening with networking and workshops led by the National Implementation Team and the Open Access Steering Group. These sessions gave delegates an early opportunity to explore both the opportunities and the real‑world challenges of system‑wide change.
A keynote address from Sarah Murphy MS, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, thanked teams for their leadership and reinforced Welsh Government’s commitment to improving outcomes.
On day two, Psychotherapist and author Alexis Quinn delivered a powerful keynote on compassionate, trauma‑informed practice, drawing on her lived experience. Delegates then explored what effective transformation looks like through a session from Stepped Care Solutions and Chris O’Connor, Clinical Lead for the Strategic Programme for Mental Health.
Teams later took part in themed workshops covering safety, co‑design, continuous learning, and organisational culture which created space for honest discussion, problem‑solving and peer learning. A guided session helped participants reflect on the day’s insights.
The final day saw action around the demonstrator projects, with teams planning how they will take shape, following an address from Helen Howson, Chair of the Bevan Commission. Afternoon contributions from Hayley Thomas, Chief Executive of Powys Teaching Health Board, reinforced the importance of leadership and partnership.
Summing up the event, Ciara Rogers, National Director of Mental Health, Learning Disability and Neurodiversity for NHS Wales Performance and Improvement said: “The Leadership Exchange has given us the momentum we need to take the next steps towards implementing Open Access Mental Health Support across Wales.
“In bringing people together from diverse backgrounds, sectors and experiences, it demonstrated the power of connection and showed what is possible when we work with shared purpose and a commitment to doing things differently.
“By strengthening relationships and creating space for honest conversations, this collective effort puts us in a far better position to deliver meaningful improvements for communities.
“Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed, facilitated and supported the event.”
Attendee Tony Cope added: “The event focused on getting the demonstrator projects on the road to success, with a range of inspirational and powerful plenaries, including Alexis Quinn and Helen Howson.
“Personally, it was a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new connections.
“The feeling in the room was positive and full of energy. By the end of the three days, I thought that this was the moment that the pieces of the jigsaw started to fall into place. I know that we’re creating a movement for real change!”
The Leadership Exchange provided an opportunity for system‑wide connection, honest conversations, and practical planning, reflecting a shared commitment to improving mental health services for people in Wales.
Work now begins with demonstrator sites to test new ways of working, capture learning, and support implementation across the entire system.