Mental health group tells Executive to take action to tackle issue
A REJIG of some hospital services in Northern Ireland has been announced amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn is to become the region’s first day procedure centre to allow treatments to continue during a potential second spike of Covid-19 cases in the autumn.
The development of this centre will be carried out in what the Department of Health has described as a phased way in order to minimise the impact on existing service users.
The emergency department and the new day procedure centre will be managed separately without impacting on each other, it said.
Meanwhile, Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast and Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Londonderry will be designated hub sites for orthopaedic procedures.
Delays for orthopaedic surgery here are among the worst in the UK, with patients waiting up to four or five years for operations such as hip replacements.
This was further exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw the halting of most elective orthopaedic procedures on grounds of patient safety and to concentrate resources on dealing with the virus.
Health Minister Robin Swann said his immediate priority is to get hospital services back up and running as quickly as possible, while also keeping patients and staff safe from coronavirus.
“That is why I am moving ahead with these interim decisions,” he said.
“Whilst I have stepped outside normal consultation arrangements on this occasion, the implementation phase will allow for the relevant trusts to carry out engagement and consultation with patients, trade unions and professional bodies.
“I also give an assurance that any permanent changes to the way services are delivered will be subject to full public consultation and engagement.
“Establishing ring-fenced hubs for day-case and orthopaedic procedures is part of our longterm strategy for reducing waiting lists. It is also very important for infection control purposes. The approach is also in line with the direction of travel for our health service mapped out by the Bengoa and Delivering Together reports in 2016.
“The aim is to develop regional planning and regional waiting lists, so that patients can more easily and quickly access care across different trust boundaries.”
Dr Tom Black, chairman of BMA’S Northern Ireland Council, described the plans as a “step in the right direction”.
“As BMA has said many times, we urgently need to reshape our health services, we cannot keep doing what we are doing and expect our waiting lists to get shorter,” he said.
“There have been plenty of reviews and recommendations, and it is now time to action some of these suggestions.
“These proposals, which seek to move planned surgery to Lagan Valley and orthopaedic services to two centres in Belfast and Altnagelvin, are a step in the right direction.”
South Antrim MLA and vicechair of the Assembly’s health committee Pam Cameron said the DUP backed the moves.
“It is imperative that this work is accelerated so that patients, many of whom have had to endure months of worsening pain and quality of life as they await joint replacement surgery, see the benefits without further delay,” she said.
Alliance councillor Sorcha Eastwood also welcomed the news.
She said: “This is a real step forward for improving health outcomes, addressing health inequalities and improving delivery for everyone, while also being a major tribute to the hardworking and professional staff at the hospital.”
Lisburn and Castlereagh mayor Nicholas Trimble added: “This novel approach of a regional day procedure centre will mean fewer cancellations as there will be no competing for operating rooms, staff or resources. Such a centre is a positive measure to improve patient health as our healthcare service strives to reinstate services on a phased basis during recovery.”
YOUNG mental health campaigners are urging the Health Minister to take urgent action in relation to the implementation of a mental health strategy for Northern Ireland.
Members of the Elephant in the Room (EITR) campaign group, which was set up by Belfast City Council Youth Forum and the Northern Ireland Youth Forum, are to meet with Robin Swann later this month.
They will appear before the Executive Work Group on Mental Wellbeing, Resilience and Suicide Prevention on July 29 to demand wide-ranging mental health reform.
John Jo Mcgrady, chairperson of Belfast Youth Forum, said many of his close friends had suffered from the effects of poor mental health, and had experienced a lack of support to deal with the problem.
He called on the Executive to address the crisis.
“The time for change is now. Mental health has been overlooked for too long. This meeting gives us a genuine opportunity to meet with the full Executive with all departments represented to give practical and effective solutions,” explained John Jo.
In 2017, the EITR produced its first research report examining mental health involving 1,117 young people.
Niamh Mallaghan, a member of the Northern Ireland Youth Forum Executive Committee, said: “This campaign gives young people the opportunity to make their voices heard at the highest level to make the changes needed to end the misery of poor mental health, self-harm and suicide.”
Alliance Party MLA, Chris Lyttle said he whole heartedly backed the EITR campaign.
“I support the need for the Northern Ireland Executive to prioritise and deliver improved mental health and wellbeing provision for our society,” he said.
“I asked the Health Minister to meet with young people from the EITR campaign and to allocate officials and resources at his disposal to support the delivery of the substantive proposals made by this youth-led campaign.”