PHA announces interim plans for Lifeline service
The Public Health Agency has announced plans to transfer Lifeline services to the Belfast Trust, as part of short term proposals to continue the service in the absence of a provider.
Last updated 14th Feb 2018
The crisis response service will be provided by Health and Social Care, namely the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, on behalf of the HSC from April, 1.
It comes after the current provider Contact Northern Ireland declined to extend their contract past March, 31.
As part of interim plans to secure the continuity of the service, the Public Health Agency which commissions Lifeline, announced short term measures to transition the services.
It's after the health body failed to secure a replacement non-statutory sector provider for the suicide prevention support service.
Frontline staff will transfer to the Belfast Trust and according to the PHA, the regional service will 'continue to operate according to the same model with the same level of service.'
Brendan Bonner, from the Public Health Agency says nothing will change at the point of delivery:
"The PHA are pleased to confirm the arrangements for securing the Lifeline service beyond the first of April 2018.
"Under the new arrangements, the service will fall under Health and Social Care with the lead coming from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
"The service will remain exactly the same as it is with the same form of access through the telephone line.
"The frontline staff involved in the service will transfer over to the Belfast Trust and we would encourage anyone who feels in distress or despair to continue to ring Lifeline on 08088088000."