AQW 15394/17-22


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 25/02/2021
Answered On Date: 16/04/2021
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on (i) the development and implementation of the Mental Health Action Plan as part of New Decade, New Approach; and (ii) the figures for those seeking help for mental health issues for the last three years, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust.


Answer:
The Mental Health Action Plan was published on 19 May 2020. The majority of actions are progressing on schedule or slightly behind it. Covid-19 related pressures in the Department, Health and Social Care Board and Trusts has had an impact on the ability to deliver all to schedule. A key part of the Action Plan is to prepare for a new Mental Health Strategy. The public consultation of the Strategy closed on 26 March and I am hoping to publish the final Strategy in summer 2021.
The adult mental health referral figures, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust, are provided below for the last 3 years. Please note that 2020/21 figures are up to the end of December 2020. The figures include referrals from all sources with the exception of Dementia and Psychiatry of Old Age.
Trust
2018/19
2019/20
2020/21
Belfast
29,533
19,325
8,300
Northern
10,484
10,586
6,186
Southern
11,073
10,883
5,268
South Eastern
12,454
14,745
10,660
Western
14,674
13,562
5,714