To ask the Minister of Health whether any consideration has been given to introducing a system whereby patients engaging with mental health services can nominate a support person to be involved in their care.

Under the current partial implementation of the Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, there is no universal statutory system for a nominated support person. However, the Act does include provision for Nominated Persons, which will apply more broadly on full implementation, particularly in relation to serious interventions, enabling individuals to formally nominate someone to support and represent their views.

HSC trust give consideration to the involvement of nominated support persons to be involved with patients engaging with mental health services including:

Mental health services adopt a person-centred approach. Through routine assessment and care planning, practitioners seek - where appropriate and with consent - to identify and involve informal supports such as family members, carers, or other trusted individuals.

Patients participate within the ‘You in Mind Pathway’ which focuses on personalised, collaborative and recovery orientated support. Within this, a partnership approach is encouraged, and all patients are invited to involve support persons such as family/friends. Carers assessments are also offered/provided to these nominated individuals to ensure they too are adequately supported throughout this process to optimise outcomes for both the patient and the nominated individual.

HSC Trusts support this via the Northern Ireland Protect Life 2 Strategy (PLIG2 Strategy) and adoption of the Share Guidelines:

SHARE Guidelines Northern Ireland | Department of Health

Inpatient mental health treatment will be actively involved in their plan of care. Where possible, with consent of the patient, next of kin/carers/nominated others are involved in providing collateral history, updates during treatment and in preparing for discharge. staff work in partnership with advocacy services and encourage patients to seek support, especially if they do not have an identified nominated person.