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Mental health spend 'must double' Mental health spend 'must double'
(about 2 hours later)
The amount the government spends on mental health and learning disability services in NI should double within the next 20 years, a review has found.The amount the government spends on mental health and learning disability services in NI should double within the next 20 years, a review has found.
The Bamford Review, to report later, was set up to examine how services for people with mental illness or learning disabilities could be improved.The Bamford Review, to report later, was set up to examine how services for people with mental illness or learning disabilities could be improved.
One in four of NI's population are affected by some form of mental illness at some point in their lives.One in four of NI's population are affected by some form of mental illness at some point in their lives.
The review began in 2002 and cost £1m to complete.The review began in 2002 and cost £1m to complete.
It was launched to evaluate the law, policy and provision of services for those with mental health needs.It was launched to evaluate the law, policy and provision of services for those with mental health needs.
It closes formally at a conference in Belfast on Tuesday. It has resulted in seven reports with another three in the pipeline.It closes formally at a conference in Belfast on Tuesday. It has resulted in seven reports with another three in the pipeline.
Professor Roy McClelland, who chaired the review, said more money was crucial.Professor Roy McClelland, who chaired the review, said more money was crucial.
Mr Goggins said more investment was needed
"We presently spend, for example on mental health, well over £100m per year - we need to double that," he said."We presently spend, for example on mental health, well over £100m per year - we need to double that," he said.
Health Minister Paul Goggins said more needed to be done to find the cause of the problem.Health Minister Paul Goggins said more needed to be done to find the cause of the problem.
Mr Goggins said more investment was needed
"The headlines are around the extra money that will be needed and I am sure the evidence from the review will help with discussions with the Treasury about the money that we do need," he said."The headlines are around the extra money that will be needed and I am sure the evidence from the review will help with discussions with the Treasury about the money that we do need," he said.
"But I am sure they will be the first to recognise that there is a lot more to it than just the money." 'Immediate response'
Sinn Fein health spokesperson John O'Dowd said the report's recommendations needed an immediate response.
"Evidence from service users, carers and service providers point to significant gaps in service provision for people with mental health needs," the Upper Bann assembly member said.
Carmel Hanna of the SDLP said more funding for mental health care was essential to improve services.
"Funding for mental health services in Northern Ireland to date has not reflected the size and scale of the problem here," the South Belfast assembly member said.
Alliance assembly member for Strangford Kieran McCarthy said mental health care in Northern Ireland had been ignored for too long
"Money invested in mental health provision will gain a strong return in the long run, in terms both of saving lives and of saving money," he said.
Professor David Bamford, the University of Ulster academic who headed the review, died in January this year.Professor David Bamford, the University of Ulster academic who headed the review, died in January this year.
High level
Before his death, he wrote an open letter to the health minister appealing for more cash to be made available.Before his death, he wrote an open letter to the health minister appealing for more cash to be made available.
BBC Northern Ireland health correspondent Dot Kirby said: "Compared to other parts of the UK, Northern Ireland has long been recognised as having both a high level of mental health need and a low level of service provision.
"Professionals who work in the fields of mental health or learning disability often view them as Cinderella services, losing out when it came to getting their fair share of health service cash.
"So the Bamford Review was set up to show what exactly the shortcomings were and how best they could be addressed."
Part of the review's remit was to examine the Mental Health Order and take account of policy developments in Northern Ireland and the EU.Part of the review's remit was to examine the Mental Health Order and take account of policy developments in Northern Ireland and the EU.