Health Minister commends work of Support While Waiting grant recipients
Date published:
Minister Nesbitt has announced 20 voluntary and community sector organisations across Northern Ireland will receive a share of a £500,000 fund to assist individuals currently on health and social care waiting lists.
During visits to Mencap and the Waterside Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership in Derry / Londonderry, Minister Nesbitt emphasised how vital the voluntary and community sector is in supporting the health and wellbeing of people on waiting lists.
The Minister said:
While we continue to see small but tangible improvements to the waiting list position, there are still many patients who wait too long for treatment and assessment, across a range of specialties. The Support While Waiting grant scheme clearly demonstrates the value of a strong partnership between government and the voluntary and community sector. These organisations deliver a range of invaluable early intervention and wellbeing programmes designed to help patients manage their conditions. This support will help people on those lists to stay well while they wait.
The grant scheme has funded organisations to provide support services to patients on waiting lists across neurology, orthopaedics and musculoskeletal, gynaecology and mental health services. Projects have also been funded to support children with disabilities and complex needs, including those waiting for ASD/ADHD assessments.
Minister Nesbitt added:
Through Support While Waiting, 2,400 patients and their families will receive localised assistance to manage their conditions, enabling those awaiting treatment to be as prepared as possible when treatment becomes available. I am committed to supporting the valuable work of the community and voluntary sector and pay tribute to each organisation working to meet the needs of the communities they serve.
Claire Shepherd, Head of Children and Families at Mencap said:
This funding is critical at a time when we are seeing increased levels of anxiety and stress for parents and carers of children and young people with learning disabilities around waiting lists. This early intervention funding will allow us to deliver activities within communities to help alleviate the pressures families are facing.
The funding will support services including optimising physical health to prevent deterioration, emotional wellbeing and improving readiness for future treatment.
Notes to editors:
- Photo caption: L – R: Claire Shepherd, Head of Children and Families, Fundraising Manager Maeve O’Lynn, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Family Support Co-ordinator Lisa McGrath during a visit to Mencap in Derry/Londonderry.
- The full list of successful applicants for Support While Waiting Grant Scheme can be found here: https://govfundingpublic.nics.gov.uk/GrantsAwarded.aspx(external link opens in a new window / tab)
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