04/08/2006
NICCY calls for action on mental health services
A review into child and adolescent mental health services has revealed that urgent action must be taken to improve services, the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, Barney McNeany, said today.
A review of the services, which was published earlier this week as part of the work of the Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability, has highlighted the lack of appropriate facilities, problems recruiting staff and the need for expanded services.
Commenting on the findings of the review, NICCY Commissioner, Barney McNeany said: “Since the office of the Children’s Commissioner was first set-up we have said that services for children and young people who need help with their mental health are inadequate.”
“We have campaigned on issues such as suicide, self-harm and young people having to share mental health wards with adults.
“I believe the recommendations of this report, together with the suicide strategy announced earlier this year, means the Government must now act with increasing urgency to improve services.”
Mr McNeany added that strategies, consultations and reviews on child and adolescent mental health services had been going on for several years and that Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Paul Goggins has agreed to meet with NICCY in coming weeks to further discuss the issue.
He continued: “At that meeting I will be emphasising to Mr Goggins that immediate action has to be taken to improve services.
“Children and young people who were in need of help three years ago are still having to make do with services that from the evidence of this review and from what families have told us, are clearly not good enough.”
(EF)
A review of the services, which was published earlier this week as part of the work of the Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability, has highlighted the lack of appropriate facilities, problems recruiting staff and the need for expanded services.
Commenting on the findings of the review, NICCY Commissioner, Barney McNeany said: “Since the office of the Children’s Commissioner was first set-up we have said that services for children and young people who need help with their mental health are inadequate.”
“We have campaigned on issues such as suicide, self-harm and young people having to share mental health wards with adults.
“I believe the recommendations of this report, together with the suicide strategy announced earlier this year, means the Government must now act with increasing urgency to improve services.”
Mr McNeany added that strategies, consultations and reviews on child and adolescent mental health services had been going on for several years and that Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Paul Goggins has agreed to meet with NICCY in coming weeks to further discuss the issue.
He continued: “At that meeting I will be emphasising to Mr Goggins that immediate action has to be taken to improve services.
“Children and young people who were in need of help three years ago are still having to make do with services that from the evidence of this review and from what families have told us, are clearly not good enough.”
(EF)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 November 2024
SF Calls For Action On NI Mental Health Services
Sinn Féin has called for more to be done to improve mental health services across the north of Ireland. The party's mental health spokesperson, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, made the call after the release of the Registrar General's 2023 Annual Report which has highlighted an increase in deaths by suicide in 2023.
SF Calls For Action On NI Mental Health Services
Sinn Féin has called for more to be done to improve mental health services across the north of Ireland. The party's mental health spokesperson, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, made the call after the release of the Registrar General's 2023 Annual Report which has highlighted an increase in deaths by suicide in 2023.
29 September 2021
£8.7m Boost For Mental Health Services
Charitable and community mental health services are set to benefit from a new £8.7 million support grant, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced.
£8.7m Boost For Mental Health Services
Charitable and community mental health services are set to benefit from a new £8.7 million support grant, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced.
07 March 2019
Student Mental Health Services Allocated £150k
Student mental health services in Belfast are set to benefit from a first of its kind pilot project worth £150,000.
Student Mental Health Services Allocated £150k
Student mental health services in Belfast are set to benefit from a first of its kind pilot project worth £150,000.
29 June 2022
Mental Health Service Waiting Times 'Deeply Concerning'
Sinn Féin have said that the number of children and young people waiting on referrals for mental health services is "deeply concerning". The party's spokesperson for Mental Health, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, was speaking after figures showed that 557 young people are waiting for a referral in the Belfast Trust, while two Trusts did not have records.
Mental Health Service Waiting Times 'Deeply Concerning'
Sinn Féin have said that the number of children and young people waiting on referrals for mental health services is "deeply concerning". The party's spokesperson for Mental Health, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, was speaking after figures showed that 557 young people are waiting for a referral in the Belfast Trust, while two Trusts did not have records.
20 June 2019
Waiting Lists For Mental Health Services Rise
An Ulster Unionist MLA has warned that growing delays in accessing mental health treatment could be damaging for children and young people in Northern Ireland.
Waiting Lists For Mental Health Services Rise
An Ulster Unionist MLA has warned that growing delays in accessing mental health treatment could be damaging for children and young people in Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
