75 local people treated for PTSD

The total number of admissions for post-traumatic stress here between 1998 and 2012 stood at 114.

Health Minister Edwin Poots stated: “The admissions above relate to 75 individuals. There are currently no psychiatric inpatients in Western HSC Trust with F431 (post-traumatic stress) recorded as a diagnosis at present although diagnosis is normally coded on discharge.”

The highest number of admissions occurred in the years following the signing of the power-sharing agreement with 16 in 1999, 16 in 2000 and peaking at 20 in 2001, coincidentally, a period marked by the release of large numbers of republican and loyalist prisoners.

Asked what he was doing to help people suffering from PSTD, Mr Poots replied: “Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is recognised as an effective treatment for PTSD.

“‘A Strategy for the Development of Psychological Therapies Services’ was published by my Department in 2010 and has been underpinned by an additional £4.4m per annum.

“While it is not possible to quantify separately the resources provided by Health and Social Care Services for the treatment of PTSD, £227.5 million was spent on specialist services for people with mental health problems in 2011/12.

“This does not include expenditure on primary care services and voluntary organisations which may support patients with post traumatic stress disorder.

“The adequacy of services that are available to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder cases is primarily for the Health & Social Care Board to address as part of its commissioning role.”