AQW 24314/22-27

Miss Nuala McAllister
Alliance Party
North Belfast

Tabled Date: 12/03/2025
Answered On Date: 28/03/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether he has any plans to increase inpatient bed capacity for mental health usage.

Answer:

All Trusts are experiencing significant pressures as a consequence of increased demands upon services, including increased number of new referrals, increased complexity and acuity of people presenting to services and increased workforce pressures as a result of increased vacancy levels.

There are currently 393 commissioned inpatient mental health beds for the region. My officials keep demand and occupancy under review, however at this time there are no plans to increase inpatient bed capacity.