To ask the Minister of Health for an update on adult safeguarding concerns at the Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit at Belfast City Hospital.

Patient safety is the number one priority for my Department and my officials will always remain vigilant to any issues which may impact on patient safety.

My Department were first made aware of building issues to the Acute Mental Health Inpatient Centre based at Belfast City Hospital on 17th September 2024.

Since this time my officials have engaged with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust to address the issues identified and concerns raised.

Belfast Trust Mental Health Services have confirmed that they do not have any adult safeguarding concerns as a result of water ingress in the Acute Mental Health inpatient Centre nor have they advised my Department of any concern in relation to patient safety as a result of water ingress or building issues.

The Trust have confirmed that they continue to monitor the situation closely with regards to impact on patient safety and experience.

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has recently completed exploratory works in two bedrooms within the Acute Mental Health Inpatient Centre.

Apart from the two rooms where the exploratory works have been undertaken, the unit remains fully operational at present. The Trust’s early assessment does not indicate that the unit will need to close while remedial works take place.

A partial decant may be necessary to facilitate the remediation works, however I have sought assurances on behalf of service users and their families that the Trust will ensure that care is provided in an alternative suitable facility, should this be required.