Health Minister officially opens the third 2010 Multidisciplinary Conference on Mental Health

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has acknowledged the move from hospital to the community of mental health and learning disability services.

Speaking at the official launch of the third 2010 Multidisciplinary Conference on Mental Health hosted by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Minister said: “This year’s title ‘From Hospital to Community’ is very apt, as it captures the essence of how we are trying to modernise our mental health and learning disability services and make them more user-focussed.

“One of the guiding principles of The Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability was to recognise people with mental health needs or with learning disabilities as citizens, and enable them to live fulfilling lives, by supporting them in the community.”

Recognising the need for effective community care services Mr McGimpsey said: “The key to a strategic shift in services is the creation of a range of primary care and community based health services to help people with mental health and learning disability needs, before their conditions become acute. Community mental health and learning disability teams have been developed, and continue to be developed, to support people at home in their communities.”

The conference was attended by a range of professionals involved in mental health services.

Notes to editors:

1. The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional and educational organisation for all psychiatrists in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. It is responsible for representing psychiatrists, psychiatric research and providing high quality public information about mental health problems. The college provides advice to Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) and Deaneries who are responsible for training and certifying psychiatrists in the UK. The Northern Ireland Division was established and launched in September 2003 and is represented on the Central Executive Committee of the College.

2. This is the third Multidisciplinary Conference on Mental Health, which has been organised by all the major professional bodies, including the Royal College of General Practitioners, British Association of Social Workers, College of Occupational Therapy, British Psychological Society, Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Psychiatrists and service users and carers. Previous conferences have been very successful, bringing together a range of professionals involved in mental health services. The conference is entitled ‘From Hospital to Community’ and hopes to profile some examples of good practice in Northern Ireland and elsewhere.

3. Media enquiries should be directed to the DHSSPS press office on 028 9052 0567, or out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.