Despite several health groups slamming the provision of mental health treatment in Northern Ireland - which they say has not improved much six years after a major review of services began - the NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has reiterated his commitment to delivering the review content's 'vision'.

The Bamford Review examined services for people with mental illness and learning disabilities with a new report - based on Bamford's findings - going out to a public consultation.

But ahead of the consultantion's conclusion today, a joint statement from the five health groups has criticised this report as being "disappointingly light" on detail.

The organisations - including the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the British Psychological Society - said problems of under-staffing across all areas were not being adequately addressed.

They noted that one in four of Northern Ireland's population are affected by some form of mental illness at some point in their lives.

They welcomed the commitment "to better the lives of people with mental health problems and learning disabilities and tackle social exclusion," but said there was serious concern about whether and how it would happen.

Among other criticisms, the professionals claimed there was not enough money in the budget to implement the proposals or enough trained staff to carry out the recommendations.

However, the Minister has outlined how work has "already started" on delivering on the key recommendations.

He said that the consultation included proposals for other vital services such as education, employment, benefits, transport and housing.

"It is clear that our mental health and learning disability services in Northern Ireland need to be improved. For too long, they have been the 'Cinderella' services within health and social care and I am determined to change that.

"That is why I fought hard in the budget and was able to secure an extra £44million to begin to modernise mental health and learning disability services over the next three years, in line with the Bamford recommendations.

"This money will enable me to make a credible start to the reform that is needed. However, I recognise much more will be required going forward if I am to do justice to this important area.

The Minister continued: "It will take time and effort to achieve - over some 10-15 years. We must be realistic, we are starting from a low base, but our commitment and determination to make that vision a reality is genuine.

"I launched our response to Bamford for consultation at the end of June and I am pleased to say that there has been a strong response. At this stage we have received around 40 detailed written responses. The public events that were held were also very useful in getting feedback direct from service users and carers whose lives will be affected by our proposals," he said.

The consultation responses will now be considered carefully by an Inter-Departmental Group, chaired by the Health Minister, and proposals for the way forward will be put to the Executive later this year.

(BMcC)