Over 800 on mental health waiting lists in Western Trust area

The figures for the Western Trust area were revealed after the Derry politician tabled a question seeking information from Health Minister Robin Swann.

Of the five Trusts, the Western Trust has the second highest number of people on waiting lists behind the Southern Trust.

In total by December 31, 2020 there were 843 people here in the west waiting to get help.

The minister confirmed that 413 of those same patients locally have been waiting at least nine weeks. This compared to just three people in the Northern Trust, where the majority are getting treatment within three weeks of presenting.

Mr Durkan said the adult mental health service statistics were “shocking but not surprising”.

The SDLP social justice spokesperson said: “In addition, the Western Trust exhibited the lowest numbers of patients, within all trust areas, to be seen within a 0-3 week timescale.

“These figures are shocking however I believe they are not reflective of the true extent of how bad this situation is; how long patients really have to wait or how that delay impacts on their lives.”

Mr Swann said his department was unable to provide information with regards to the average length of time patients in each of the Trusts were waiting to get mental health treatment.

Mr Durkan said: “It will be of no surprise that the Western Trust has once displayed among the worst waiting times for adult mental health service as well as experiencing increasing demand.

“It has become somewhat of an expectation, but we should not resign ourselves to a defeatist mentality.

“We have come quite some way in addressing the stigma surrounding mental health. Focus must now be placed on addressing the predicted upsurge in demand.”

Preparing for the huge impact the COVID pandemic and restrictions have had on the mental health of local people must be treated as an urgent priority, he added.

“There is undoubtedly work to be done to ensure that adequate and effective mental health provision is in place as we navigate the months ahead.

“The Executive must remain steadfast in their commitment to improving mental health services right across the North.

“That means seeking alternative models of care to ensure people can access help as and when they need it, rather than left struggling on ever-increasing waiting lists.”