Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has confirmed a significant staffing shortfall in the Western Health and Social Care Trust, revealing a 23 per cent deficit in its Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

This gap is severely impacting the Trust’s ability to meet demand and adhere to the Integrated Elective Access Protocol (IEAP) target of assessing all referrals within nine weeks.

The issue was raised at Stormont by Democratic Unionist MLA Deborah Erskine, who inquired about the actions and strategies in place to reduce waiting times and improve access to CAMHS in both the Western and Southern Health and Social Care Trusts.

Minister Nesbitt said the Department of Health has a commitment to address these challenges through the Mental Health Strategy (MHS), which outlines the future direction of mental health services in Northern Ireland over the next decade.

“Action 32 of the MHS recognises the staffing challenges across CAMHS,” Minister Nesbitt stated.

“A comprehensive workforce review was completed in March 2022, focusing on the existing workforce, new models of working, and the importance of training, recruitment, and retention.”

Additionally, the strategy aims to increase CAMHS funding to 10 per cent of the Adult Mental Health Budget under Action 10.

“My Department will continue to work closely with Health and Social Care Trusts and other key stakeholders to develop services that meet current and emerging needs,” said Minister Nesbitt.

Despite these strategic initiatives, the Western Trust’s current staffing deficit is a significant barrier to reducing waiting times.

“CAMHS senior management is working in close partnership with Senior Trust Managers and Trust Quality Improvement and Performance colleagues to improve the situation. However, current waiting times will not improve until all staff are in post,” the Minister acknowledged.