GSD accuses Minister for Health of taking "reactive" decisions on mental health services

The GSD has accused the Minister for Health of taking "reactive" decisions on mental health services.

Shadow Minister for Health, Joelle Ladislaus, pointed to Gemma Arias-Vasquez's statement that the decision not to relocate the acute ward was taken on the advice of clinicians and the Mental Health Board.

She said this is an admission that those professionals hadn't been consulted in the first place.

Mrs Ladislaus said this builds on previous U-turns regarding the relocation of the Community Mental Health team.

She called for experts to be listened to, and said this would avoid demotivating staff, negatively impacting on services, and causing unnecessary delays.