AQW 30799/22-27


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 10/09/2025
Answered On Date: 01/10/2025
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on his Department’s plans to establish a dedicated crisis service under the Mental Health Strategy 2021–2031.


Answer:
Implementing the new Regional Mental Health Crisis Service is a commitment in the Mental Health Strategy 2021-2031, under actions 12 and 27. My Departmental officials and the Public Health Agency are working in partnership to deliver on both of these actions to develop a Regional Mental Health Crisis Service for all citizens of Northern Ireland.
The components of the proposed regional mental health crisis service are: accessing mental health crisis services, primary care and interagency partnership, community crisis service, mental health liaison service and crisis resolution home treatment.
Future state work has commenced across lifespan services including scoping what a good service would look like. A draft Regional Mental Health Crisis Service Lifespan Pathway has been presented to relevant stakeholders. Stakeholders have provided feedback on the draft pathway and how best to take forward the next phase of work of the Regional Mental Health Crisis Service model.
A Mental Health Liaison and Crisis Response Home Treatment Care Network has recently been established which includes all key stakeholders. This Care Network’s aim is to ensure consistent evidence-based practice, equitable access to care and improve service user outcomes.
In order to develop and roll out the Regional Mental Health Crisis Service, additional funding will be required. My officials within the Department are working in partnership to prioritise areas for next steps. This will include standardisation of services and levelling up and roll out of service areas across the region, to ensure a more equitable provision to those in need across the lifespan.
In line with the usual process for commissioning of services, any decision to commission mental health crisis services in the future will be based on an assessment of the level of demand for services, and in the context of future budget availability.