§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to improve child and adolescent psychiatry services before the report from the review of mental health. [157389]
§ Angela Smith£4 million is being made available for a new purpose built 16–18 bedded unit for child and adolescent inpatient services. An outline business case is at present being considered by the Department. It is proposed that a further 10 child and adolescent beds are provided in the west of the province. Two Trusts have submitted business cases which are currently being considered.
Priorities for Action 2003–04 requires Boards and Trusts to develop child and adolescent community mental health services, especially those services that reduce demand for in-patient services. A Regional Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Development Group has been proposed to oversee the implementation of a regional commissioning statement in respect of all four tiers of services in Northern Ireland.