Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey is leading the consultation, although the proposals include other vital services such as education, employment and housing.
Throughout the consultation period, a series of public meetings will be held at venues across Northern Ireland.
The Minister said: “Over the last few years, the Bamford review has given Government a very comprehensive and independent view on what needs to be done to bring our mental health and learning disability services up to scratch.
“The Bamford review gained a great deal of public support for their work and indeed, the proposals have the backing of all Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive.
“We are consulting now on the structures which need to be put in place in the long-term to deliver the Bamford vision of significantly improving our services. However, the full process of improving and modernising is likely to take up to 15 years to complete. We cannot afford to wait that long to begin to transform services, and that is why I want to look at the first practical steps that can be taken over the next two to three years.”
The Bamford review also examined the current mental health legislation and has made proposals for widespread changes, including the introduction of new mental capacity legislation to protect all people who are unable to make decisions for themselves.
Mr McGimpsey said: “We accept that we need to update the legislation to ensure that we protect the rights of vulnerable people adequately. We are setting out our overall plan and timescale for updating the law, which will be quickly followed by consultation on more detailed proposals for the new legislation.
“The Bamford review’s proposals can only be achieved with significant additional funding. I have allocated an extra £44million over three years to begin to modernise mental health and learning disability services in line with the Bamford recommendations.
“I expect to see a real difference in services in three years’ time, but further substantial sums of money will be required to see this modernisation process through.”
Notes to Editors:
1. The Bamford review published a series of 10 reports between 2005 and 2007. The reports are available at the Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability Website
2. The consultation document ‘Delivering the Bamford Vision’ is available on the DHSSPS website. This response is supported by the NI Executive.
3. Consultation will close on 3 October 2008. A number of public events are planned across Northern Ireland to hear people’s views, details are below:
Belfast, Grosvenor House, Thurs 24 July, 10am-1pm;
Londonderry, City Hotel, Wed 30 July, 1.30pm-4.30pm;
Ballymena, Civic Centre, Tues 5 Aug, 6.30pm-9.30pm;
Enniskillen, Clinton Centre, Mon 11 Aug, 1.30pm-4.30pm;
Craigavon, Civic Centre, Thurs 21 Aug, 10am-1pm;
Omagh, Silverbirch Hotel, Thurs 28 Aug, 1.30pm-4.30pm;
Newry, Mourne Country Hotel, Wed 3 Sept, 6.30pm9.30pm;
Coleraine, Lodge Hotel, Wed 10 Sept, 1.30pm-4.30pm;
Belfast, Park Avenue Hotel, Thurs 18 Sept, 6.30pm-9.30pm.
4. Media enquiries to DHSSPS Press Office on 02890 520636, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
