Health Minister Robin Swann announces £32,000 for Derry Community Crisis Intervention Service (CCIS)

Money for the vital life-saving service that has been credited with reducing the incidence of self-harm and suicide in the city was due to run out at the end of the month.

Mr. Swann visited the offices of Extern which runs the service on Tuesday.

During the visit the Minister agreed to an extension of funding to the end of September to ensure the provision of services. £32,400 will be allocated enabling Derry and Strabane District Council to extend the service for a further three months.

He said: “I hope this funding provides both the breathing space and an opportunity for renewed discussion with stakeholders to try and reach a longer term funding solution for the initiative.

“The service has shown positive benefits for those clients who are in crisis and I sincerely hope that funding is secured to enable the service to continue.

“It is incumbent on the Council who commission the service to secure a sustainable funding solution going forward. I encourage all stakeholders to use this additional period as an opportunity to have those conversations and engage extensively with Extern to identify lasting funding options. Given the cross-cutting and important nature of the CCIS, I hope that this will include a multi-agency solution involving local enforcement agencies.”

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Alderman Darren Guy said the funding allocation was welcome but acknowledged it was far short of the £215,000 required to run it over the current financial year.

"It was great to welcome our Health Minister, Robin Swann to the city today.

"The Health Minister wanted to visit Extern and personally inform Joe Thompson of the funding which has been made available towards the service.

"The UUP welcome the announcement by our Health Minister, of funding to the sum of £32,000 towards the CCIS.

"We realise this is only a fraction of the funding required but acknowledge the fact, had the Minister not been able to find this sum of money, then after the June 30, 2020, the CCIS would have ceased to exist," said Alderman Guy.

The funding boost follows lobbying from a wide range of groups in Derry including Foyle Seach and Rescue, Derry City and Strabane District Council and local political leaders.

Ald. Guy said: "The CCIS provides a worthwhile service in our City and working alongside the Western Trust 24hr crisis response service, helps relieve pressures on the A&E Department.

"This offer now allows some breathing space to all parties involved but it is imperative that we keep seeking ways to fund this vital Service. We must now take our appeals to the Executive and ask for cross Departmental funding to continue with this vital service."

Policy work to consider the optimal delivery of crisis services has been requested by the Chief Medical Officer and is expected to commence imminently under the Protect Life 2 Strategy.

This is expected to make recommendations for the future delivery of crisis intervention services and also enhanced co-ordination of a range of associated programmes including the Towards Zero Suicide programme, Lifeline, and the Multi Agency Triage Team.

The learning from Derry Crisis Intervention Service will be of considerable value to inform that policy work. Decisions on the future delivery of crisis services will be taken by the Department once that work is completed.