Derry disability group welcomes return of £8m funding
By Marianne Flood
The Western Trust has confirmed that £8m of new funding will be invested in their learning disability budget in the next financial year.
It comes after a year and a half of campaigning by the Western Learning Disability Action Group (WLDAG).
Speaking earlier this week a spokesperson for the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) said: “The Trust confirms that by the 2018/19 financial year, £8million of new funding will be invested into the Western Trust’s Learning Disability budget.
“The Trust has worked closely with the Department of Health, Health and Social Care Board and Carers Forums in securing this investment and would like to thank them for their continued support and input.”
Commenting, Dermot O’Hara, manager of disability support group Destined, said a significant amount of work went into finding a resolution.
“Destined were delighted to be centrally involved with the campaign and I would like to congratulate everyone involved,” he told the Derry News.
“It was a good result for us and it comes alongside a pledge by the Trust that they will involve carers and people with learning disabilities in the decision making process.
“They will be centrally involved with what services are being provided.”
However, Mr O’Hara said the learning disabilities sector is trying to recover from ‘20 years of underfunding’.
“Structurally for learning disabilities, in terms of bricks and mortar and training for staff, it needs to be looked at,” said Mr O’Hara.
“We now need to increase the skills base and develop the community and voluntary sector.”
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney commented: “I want to congratulate all those parents and organisations that worked to get a resolution to this problem.
“Services to people with learning disabilities have been greatly impacted by the underfunding in the past. I look forward to people getting access to better services and facilities in the future.
“The commitment by the Trust to involve parents, carers and service users using PPI principles in the design and delivery of services in the future is a positive step that could be the precursor for future models of good practice throughout the wider Health Service.”