New staff and triage improves Western Trust adult mental health position despite increased demand

That’s according to Health Minister Robin Swann, who was asked by SDLP MLA Mark H. Durkan how significant improvements in waiting times were achieved over the past four years, particularly in the Western Trust.

Mr. Durkan pointed to figures that showed how on January 31, 2024, 656 people were waiting for access to adult mental health services and 271 were waiting more than nine weeks.

This was an improvement on 843 waiting for services on December 31, 2020, with 413 people waiting longer than nine weeks.

Mr. Swann said the improved position was achieved in the face of increasing demand.

“Trusts are experiencing significant pressures as a consequence of increased demands upon services, including increased numbers of new referrals, increased complexity and acuity of people presenting to the service and significant workforce pressures as the result of increased staff vacancy levels,” he stated.

He said a new triage system and the recruitment of extra staff had reduced waits in the Western Trust.

“The improved position within the Western Trust Adult Mental Health (AMH) services has been due to the Primary Care Liaison Service undertaking a service review to improve systems and processes to optimise capacity within the multi-disciplinary team and the implementation of standardised robust triage arrangements.

"This improved position has also been due to successful recruitment to vacant posts which increased clinical capacity. The AMH Primary Care Liaison Service has no patients waiting over 9 weeks for a first appointment (as at 31/03/24),” he confirmed.

155 children and young people waiting over nine weeks for mental health assessment