To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the support available for the diagnosis, treatment and management of post-traumatic stress disorder.

A diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is typically reached by a consultant (or a trainee psychiatrist under the supervision of a consultant) after a full psychiatric assessment. Psychiatrists work in multi-disciplinary teams and on some occasions a person may be assessed by a member of staff from another profession who may not make a diagnosis as such but will assess the person’s presenting symptoms and problems and will agree a management and treatment plan.

Individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder will typically be offered:

a) an appropriate psychological therapy (most often trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy or EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy).

and/or

(b) appropriate pharmacological treatments (medications; most often an antidepressant).

If PTSD has resulted from a Troubles/conflict-related trauma care may be provided by the Regional Trauma Network (the RTN). The RTN brings together services provided by both the statutory (through the Health and Social Care Trusts) and community and voluntary sector organisations (funded through the Victims and Survivors Service).

Furthermore, any adult who requires Mental Health Services will adhere to the standards set out in the Regional You in Mind Mental Health Care Pathway (2014). The term mental ill health covers a broad spectrum of mental health problems. This Care Pathway is for people who experience mental ill health and for their families and friends. The Pathway outlines how care decisions will be made and put the person, and/or family, partner or nominated friends at heart of all decision making. The Care Pathway sets out the standards expected by all mental health and psychological therapy services provided by Health and Social Care Trusts including those services commissioned from independent community and voluntary sectors organisations. The Pathway has been modelled on NICE 136 Guideline Improving Experience of People Using Adult Mental Health Services Quality Standards, and outlines how Mental Health Services will use recovery principles in providing care.