AQW 53184/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 20/01/2016
Answered On Date: 22/03/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what support and information is available in the Northern and Western Health and Social Care Trusts on the transition to adult mental health services for young people with learning disabilities.

Answer:

A young person with a formal diagnosis of learning disability will be formally transitioned into Adult Learning Disability Services. Similarly, a young person with a mental health diagnosis, who requires ongoing Mental Health Services, will transition (at 18) to Adult Mental Health Services.

Learning Disability Services have the capability to manage an adult with learning disability and mental health (co-morbidity). However, if the primary presenting need was a mental health matter, there would be discussion between Mental Health and Learning Disability Services to determine the best fit for the young person, and a formal transition may be an outcome of this. This would be undertaken on a case-by-case basis and based on professional opinion.

Depending on assessed need transitioning, young people may access a range of services where individual support will be available eg: short breaks; supported living; direct payments; building and community-based day activities; social work; OT; nursing and psychology.