Concern over cut to young people mental health crisis scheme

Concerns have been raised over the reduction of a specialist mental health support service for children and young people in the north west.

The Card Before You Leave scheme ensures young people experiencing a mental health crisis who present at a hospital's emergency department are given a written appointment with specialists before leaving.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) said due to financial pressures the scheme is now only operating on a Monday to Friday basis and not at all on weekends and bank holidays.

Londonderry GP Dr Joe McEvoy said the reduction was a further "chipping away at an already threadbare service".