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A pilot scheme being run by St John Ambulance Cymru is aiming to provide quicker transportation for patients with mental health conditions.

St John Ambulance is working with the Welsh Ambulance Commissioner as part of the Taith Dda scheme, which was commissioned in April this year.

The Wales-wide scheme aims to provide a transport service for people experiencing a mental health crisis, with the intention of reducing waiting times.

The scheme sees St John Ambulance Cymru transporting non-critical patients to and from hospitals, taking pressure off services such as the police and Welsh Ambulance Service.

Helen Coulthard, head of ambulance operations at St John Ambulance Cymru said: “By reducing transportation time for individuals requiring mental health support, we enable them to receive a more timely intervention at such a critical time. By doing so, we hope that this support contributes positively to their recovery journey.”

St John Ambulance Cymru is working with a number of mental health charities to help educate staff about different mental health conditions.