Action Needed To Reform And Expand Respite Services In NI - Alliance

Alliance Health Spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA has called for urgent action to reform and expand access to respite services in Northern Ireland.

The North Belfast MLA was speaking following the airing of a BBC Spotlight investigation on the lack of support for families with children with special education needs and disabilities.

Ms McAllister has said: "Day services, short breaks, and wider respite services provide not only critical sources of support for disabled children and other service users, but also a lifeline for their unpaid carers.

"For years, carers have been saying that their access to respite is too little or entirely non-existent. They are being pushed to breaking point and burn out by the relentless pressure of caring around the clock for sick or disabled loved ones and getting no opportunity for a break in return.

"I have repeatedly asked the Health Minister about his plans to boost respite provision across Northern Ireland and his lack of urgency on this issue is alarming. The inadequate provision of these vital services, particularly overnight respite, has been ignored by the Department for too long and it really is unsurprising that so many families are reaching the end of their tether."