22 May 2025

SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has expressed serious concern at the ongoing failure to provide a full and accurate picture of waiting times for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), following today’s publication of the latest quarterly figures by NISRA.

The South Down MLA said the lack of complete data - due to the ongoing rollout of the encompass system - was undermining efforts to plan and improve mental health services for young people across Northern Ireland.

“It is unacceptable that, yet again, we do not have a full and up-to-date picture of CAMHS waiting lists. We cannot properly plan or deliver services if we don’t know where the needs are greatest, or how long young people are waiting for support.

“I raised this directly with the Minister at Question Time this week. He rightly acknowledged the importance of addressing mental health needs, and the cruelty of having services that people know exist but simply cannot access. But we cannot continue to plan in the dark.

“The health service has to be guided by evidence, and families have a right to transparency and accountability when it comes to services their children rely on. Without comprehensive data, we risk continuing a postcode lottery for mental health support, with some children waiting far too long.

“I stand with the families across South Down and Northern Ireland who are fighting daily to get support for their children. The wait for CAMHS can be agonising, and the consequences can be life-altering. We need urgent action, not just good intentions, and the Minister must take the lead in how we address this.”