CONCERNED…Bridie Sweeney
MENTAL health services are facing an uncertain future here as a spike in demand for counselling services continues to outweigh current resources.
People in Fermanagh who are living with mental health issues are placed on lengthening waiting lists as services like the Aisling Centre struggle to meet the growing need – placing a heavy burden on an already overstretched service.
The news comes as the Department of Health revealed it is considering a location for a second mental health unit in Fermanagh and Omagh.
A spokesman for the department confirmed to the Fermanagh Herald that a business case is currently being developed by the Western Health Trust and that a site at the South West Acute hospital (SWAH) is being mooted.
Bridie Sweeney, Centre Co-Ordinator of The Aisling Centre, which has been in operation for 25 years in Fermanagh, said their services are “under resourced”.
“Unfortunately funds available to provide services have not kept pace with growing need,” she said. “The centre is very under resourced and would particularly welcome an increase in support for community based counselling services.
“Demand for counselling and psychotherapy services at the centre is ever increasing and consistently outweighs resources available. This is leading to lengthening waiting lists and increased stress on already vulnerable people.
“The people in the west need and deserve good quality, accessible mental health care which embraces a professional community based approach alongside the medical model.
“Any decision making with regards to the provision of services should be based on that premise.”
The business plan came to light after a Sinn Fein MLA raised the issue within the Assembly.
In a question tabled at the Northern Ireland Assembly to the health minister, Mervyn Storey, Sinn Fein MLA, Barry McElduff, asked whether there was “no suitable space, accommodation or environment” for this facility at the SWAH.
The Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital, located in Omagh, already provides acute mental health inpatient services for adults.
The DUP minister stated the business case will include a full options appraisal while taking into account the essential requirements for high quality safe, effective, and robust adult mental health services for the people locally.
“This will include an evaluation of suitable space, accommodation and environment in reaching a determination on the preferred option.”
When the health department was asked to confirm if SWAH was being considered within the business case, a spokesman said: “The business case must identify and consider all viable options to meet the need for this facility which would include the South West Acute Hospital.”
In effect, the mental health unit generally provides in-patient services to meet local needs for a specific client group while facilities for other mental health services may be included, like acute day treatment or community-based services.
A Western Trust spokesperson said: “The Trust is currently working on the business case and it is envisaged that this will be completed by early April 2015.”
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