NEARLY 3,600 children are now waiting to see a psychiatrist, with more than 1,000 facing delays of at least a year. The waiting lists are growing with 465 more young people in this predicament compared to two years ago.

A member of staff has been suspended at a care home in Eglinton over the alleged abuse of a resident. Southern Cross Healthcare, which operates Longfield Care Centre, said the claim was acted on immediately.

Schizophrenia Ireland has published a new document outlining the benefits of psychological or talk therapies in the treatment of psychosis as part of Lucia Week, the national schizophrenia awareness week.

People in Banbridge are being asked to take part in a new mental health survey. The project, entitled Health in Mind, is being developed by a coalition of the Education and Library Boards, Action Mental Health, Aware Defeat Depression, Cause and Rethink.

Staff who work in hostels which accommodate former prisoners, including sex offenders, are under considerable pressure.

The nursing home sector is warning that many elderly people and their families face hardship as a result of the Government decision to include the Fair Deal scheme in its spending cuts.

THE way has been cleared for 15,000 nursing home and other long-stay patients to receive up to €48m in refunds from the Health Service Executive (HSE), it was learned yesterday.

The treatment of a 63-year-old County Fermanagh woman who died in Belfast City Hospital has been criticised by the Northern Ireland Ombudsman.

The Minster for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin said today she had grave concerns following a study showing children as young as 12 years of age are abusing drugs.The Minster for Social and Family Affairs said today she had grave concerns following a study showing children as young as 12 years of age are abusing drugs.

Deaf people last night received a £1.3m funding boost. The money will enhance the supply of qualified British and Irish sign language interpreters and tutors. Currently around 5,000 profoundly deaf