Debate contribution: Dual-diagnosis Services: Emergency Departments
Debate contribution by Mr Robin Swann on .
- MLA
- Mr Robin Swann
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 4 March 2024
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Dual-diagnosis Services: Emergency Departments
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4254497
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Member for her question. Addressing the harm that is related to alcohol and other drugs is a key priority for my Department, which leads on the Northern Ireland Executive's 10-year substance use strategy entitled 'Preventing Harm, Empowering Recovery'. The strategy aims to directly prevent and reduce the harm that is related to substance use through a range of cross-departmental actions and support. We are seeing an increase in the complexity of cases that are in mental health and substance use services as well as in those that present to emergency departments. It is vital that there is no wrong door and that people get the right treatment at the right time, particularly when presenting in crisis. Implementing the new regional crisis service is a commitment in the mental health strategy 2021-2031. The strategic planning and performance group and our Public Health Agency (PHA) are working in partnership to develop a regional mental health crisis service for Northern Ireland. Dual-diagnosis services vary in how and where they are offered in trusts, with treatment and support being located in addiction services, early intervention support services or acute mental health services. Dual diagnosis or co-occurring mental health and addiction problems are a key priority in the substance use strategy and the mental health strategy. Therefore, it is critical that we reinforce linkages with the mental health strategy's early intervention and action plan, the development of that regional mental health crisis service and the development of the regional mental health service in order to devise better pathways and models for those who are in mental health crisis and who have co-occurring addiction problems.
272 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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