State of mental health care funding in Northern Ireland examined

12 December 2018

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee hears from mental health charities and the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland on the challenges facing mental health services in Northern Ireland.

Witnesses

Wednesday 12 December in the Grimond Room, Portcullis House

At 9.30am

David Babington, Chief Executive, Action Mental Health
Dr Gerry Lynch, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland and Vice President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Professor Peter McBride, Chief Executive, Inspire
Professor Nichola Rooney, Chair of the British Psychological Society

Purpose of the session

Northern Ireland faces a higher prevalence of mental illness than elsewhere in the UK, and, in the aftermath of the Troubles, Northern Ireland has the highest suicide rate in the UK. More people have died from suicide since the signing of the Belfast Agreement in 1998 than in the 30 years of the Troubles. The Committee considers how these concerning realities should be reflected in health funding decisions in the 2018/19 budget.

There is significant concern that despite Northern Ireland's high mental illness rates, the proportion of the health budget that is given to mental health remains the lowest in the UK. The Committee will hear about the implications of the mental health funding gap, and how funding could be prioritised to provide more effective care for mental health patients in Northern Ireland.

Further information

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