AQW 38001/22-27

Miss Nuala McAllister
Alliance Party
North Belfast

Tabled Date: 12/01/2026
Answered On Date: 16/02/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health (i) for his Department's assessment of the psychiatric assessment and treatment hub pilot within the Mater Hospital; and (iI) whether there are any plans to extend this project to other areas, given the pressure it releases on Emergency Departments.

Answer:

The Psychiatric Assessment and Treatment Hub (PATH) has indicated a positive impact in its first year of operation, including reduction in patients waiting in Emergency Departments or community for admission; a reduction in services completing 1:1 observations within Emergency Departments, which helped reduce some pressure on Emergency Departments.

Belfast Health and Care Trust have submitted a business case to support year two delivery, which my officials are currently considering.

Any decision regarding further funding to support PATH will need to be taken within the context of significant budgetary constraints, and alongside wider pressures within the system.