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Lack of mental health services for young people

The Politics Show has learnt that The Children's Commissioner for Wales will express deep concern about the treatment available for children and young people in Wales who suffer from Mental Health problems.

In his annual report, to be published on Wednesday 15 February, the Commissioner, Peter Clarke, has labelled the practice of sending sick children and young children out of Wales for mental health treatment as a "disgrace".

It is believed that over 40 children or adolescents are sent to England because of a lack of services available in Wales, and others are being forced into treatment in adult wards.

In September 2004 the Welsh Assembly Government announced provision of �500,000 to provide emergency beds for children and young people with mental health problems.

Eighteen months later, one of Wales' top consultants in the field claim that there are no dedicated emergency beds in Wales.

The commissioner's report says that children in Wales are suffering as a result of what he describes as a failure to provide an adequate mental health service for young people.

The office have called on the Welsh Assembly Government over the last three years to provide funding for their mental health strategy and say that they are disappointed that they have to raise the issue again.

On the Politics Show we speak to the Health Minster Brian Gibbons about the care available to treat children and young people suffering from mental health problems.

Dentist concerns

We also be report on dentists' concerns about the introduction of new NHS contracts.

With just weeks to go before they are introduced, many dentists are concerned that they still do not know the workload targets they are expected to meet, or what they will be paid for doing so.

The Politics Show

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Tune in to BBC One on Sunday19 February 2006 at Noon.

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