To ask the Minister of Health whether he will ensure that Promote Day Opportunities Centre in Bangor has sufficient funding to deliver services.

I am aware that Action Mental Health (AMH) Promote provides a valuable service to enable people with learning disabilities to access diverse day activities and develop greater levels of independence. AMH informed SEHSCT in November 2023 that it would not be renewing its contract to deliver the Promote Day Opportunity Service in Bangor after 31 March 2024, due to wider financial pressures.

SEHSCT have worked closely with the provider since June 2023 to better understand the challenges faced and to identify options that would enable continued delivery of services. Unfortunately, it is not feasible to continue the service with the current operating model.

SEHSCT have identified an alternative provider to continue delivery of the service at the current site in Bangor. Throughout this process there has been and will continue to be engagement with service users, families and the providers.

The Department remains committed to the expansion of day opportunities for people with learning disabilities. Throughout 2023, the Department has led on an exercise to finalise a draft service model for learning disability, which includes several outcomes and actions to expand day services and short breaks in Northern Ireland. The current draft has been shared with key stakeholders to inform the next phase of this work and wider consultation.

In parallel to this work, the Department’s Strategic Planning and Performance Group are working closely with Trusts to undertake a financial review of adult learning disability services.