SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin
It follows the release of new figures which show that in 2021/22, more than a third of hospital admissions under the Mental Health programme of care were in the Western Trust.
Said the Foyle MLA: “These new figures lay in stark relief the challenges facing the Western Trust when it comes to mental health.
“And the fact that more than a third of total hospital admissions under the mental health programme of care were in the Western Trust should serve as a wake-up call to everyone that we need to improve our services in this area.
“Too many people have been falling through the cracks of our system for too long and the challenges with regards to mental health that already existed in Derry and elsewhere have only been exacerbated over the last number of years.
“We can all talk a good game when it comes to mental health and of course we need greater awareness of mental health challenges, but the truth is that we need to see long-term, sustainable funding in our services if we are going to tackle this issue.
“That means supporting those people and groups on the ground who are doing fantastic work in the community and also ensuring that the Ten-Year Mental Health Strategy is fully resourced and implemented.
“We must also ensure that no-one across the North loses out on equitable access to support so that people are subjected to a postcode lottery of services.”
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