To ask the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to improve the accessibility of mental health services for young people.

My Department recognises that the number of children and young people awaiting Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) has increased since 30th June 2019. Official statistics published by my Department on the 14th February 2024 highlighted that as of 31st December 2023 the total number of young people awaiting assessment across Northern Ireland was 2,095.

All Trusts are reporting recruitment and retention issues along with more complex presentations and both of these factors are having an impact on capacity. Action 32 of The Mental Health Strategy (MHS) recognises the staffing challenges across CAMHS and a comprehensive workforce review was completed in March 2022. This review considered; existing workforce, the need to adopt new models of working and the importance of increasing the focus on training, recruitment and retention issues. My Department is committed in creating a workforce that will meet the needs of the population and which is fit for the future.

The Mental Health Strategy acknowledged that CAMHS requires additional investment and Action 10 of MHS gives a commitment to increase funding to 10% of the Adult Mental Health Budget. My Department will continue to work closely and collaboratively with Health and Social Care Trusts and other key stakeholders to develop services that meet not only current but emerging needs of this population and work with executive colleagues to secure the necessary resources required to meet demands.

My Department oversees a Service Delivery Plan process which monitors activity and performance across all Health & Social Care Trusts (HSCT). Officials have set targets for new and review contacts within CAMHS and these are reviewed on a monthly basis. If a HSCT is underperforming against its target, my officials require explanations from them on why this is the case. When necessary HSCT’s are required to submit a service, improvement plan that details what steps they will take to improve performance against set targets.