MLA says more funding is still needed for mental health

A £400,000 upgrade for Mental Health services in Omagh has been described as a ‘sticking plaster’ for the far greater need to invest in the services locally.

Health Minister, Robin Swann, has highlighted an overall investment of some £1.5 million in mental health in West Tyrone, including the investment for the Elim and Lime wards at the Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital.

But West Tyrone Sinn Fein MLA, Nicola Brogan says it is now time for the Minister to also make up a shortfall in funding for a new inpatient 26 ned Acute Mental Health Unit in the town.

“The location of the Acute Mental Health Hospital in Omagh was announced back in 2016 by the then Minister of Health, Simon Hamilton. In the intervening period we have seen a massive increase in people presenting with mental health and addiction problems. This has been further compounded by Covid,” she said.

“A petition of 600 people I presented to current Health Minister Robin Swann in June gave vent to the increasing frustration there is at the continued failure to develop this urgently needed ‘inpatient’ 26 bed Acute Mental Health Unit.

“In his response, the Minister states that out of the overall capital investment requirement of £284.97m – £287.07m to build the three new mental health hospitals including Omagh, as part of the 10 year Mental Health Strategy, there is already an existing commitment of £206m.

“Given that the Department of Health received almost £6.5bn in its budget allocation for 2021-22, the shortfall is not insurmountable and the Minister must ensure that the shortfall is now found,” added Nicola Brogan.

Assembly question

The Minister was responding to an Assembly question from Ms Brogan around the deficit in funding.

In response, Robin Swann said said the £400,000 brought the total investment in Omagh mental health services to almost £1.5 million over the last two years.

“I will continue to press for the necessary funding for the strategy, but in the interim, my Department has provided £400k of investment in Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital to provide immediate improvements designed to improve patient safety and experience,” the Minister said.

“The publication of the Mental Health Strategy does not represent a commitment to funding it.

“The cost of implementation cannot be met from within the Department of Health’s current financial allocation, unless significant levels of existing activity cease.

“Delivery of the Strategy is therefore conditional on securing additional funding.”