Northern Ireland Launch of Fair Deal

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The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has committed to using the Fair Deal manifesto as an “aide memoire” for all staff working on mental health.

Linda Brown, Deputy Secretary at the Department of Health with responsibility for Social Care, said at the launch of Fair Deal in Northern Ireland that the manifesto sums up the Department’s vision for mental health services.

Fair Deal was launched in Northern Ireland on 27^th October by Professor Dinesh Bhugra, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and Dr Cathal Cassidy, Chair of the Northern Ireland Division.

Bill Halliday, director of Rethink Northern Ireland, also welcomed Fair Deal and spoke of the need for equality for people with mental health problems.

Dr Philip McGarry, Policy and Public Affairs officer spoke about two initiatives that were already underway in Northern Ireland and a further planned  project; all three relate to In- Patient care.
 
Two acute wards in the South-Eastern Trust are participating in the AIMS programme, and the College will encourage more wards to sign up.
 

 A Regional Acute Bed Management Protocol has just been set up. The purpose is to ensure that there is coordination of access to acute beds across the whole of the Province, so that – particularly outside office hours - patients who need admission in an emergency can be placed  promptly in the most appropriate unit. This Project is receiving support from the Regional Guidelines and Audit  Implementation Network (GAIN). Two specialist Registrars will be active in the Project, and it is planned to present a report to the Minister of Health in August 2009.
 

The third area of work will be a survey of all the inpatient units in Northern Ireland. This project will involve professionals, service users and carers, and will be facilitated by a Specialist Registrar.