Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has confirmed that 20 voluntary and community sector organisations throughout Northern Ireland will share a £500,000 funding pot. The "Support While Waiting" grant scheme is designed to assist patients currently awaiting health and social care assessments or treatments.

During visits to the Waterside Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership in L'Derry and Mencap, the Minister highlighted the essential role the voluntary sector plays in maintaining the wellbeing of those on long-term lists. The scheme targets several specialities, including mental health, gynaecology, orthopaedics, musculoskeletal, and neurology services. It also provides specific support for children with complex needs or disabilities, particularly those waiting for ASD and ADHD assessments. Minister Nesbitt said: "While we continue to see small but tangible improvements to the waiting list position, there are still many patients who wait too long for treatment and assessment, across a range of specialities. The Support While Waiting grant scheme clearly demonstrates the value of a strong partnership between government and the voluntary and community sector. These organisations deliver a range of invaluable early intervention and wellbeing programmes designed to help patients manage their conditions. This support will help people on those lists to stay well while they wait."

The funding is expected to reach 2,400 patients and their families, providing localised help to ensure they are physically and mentally prepared for treatment when it becomes available.

Minister Nesbitt added: "Through Support While Waiting, 2,400 patients and their families will receive localised assistance to manage their conditions, enabling those awaiting treatment to be as prepared as possible when treatment becomes available. I am committed to supporting the valuable work of the community and voluntary sector and pay tribute to each organisation working to meet the needs of the communities they serve."

Claire Shepherd, Head of Children and Families at Mencap, welcomed the investment, noting the rising levels of stress among carers and parents of children with learning disabilities. She stated: "This funding is critical at a time when we are seeing increased levels of anxiety and stress for parents and carers of children and young people with learning disabilities around waiting lists. This early intervention funding will allow us to deliver activities within communities to help alleviate the pressures families are facing."

The supported projects will focus on emotional wellbeing, improving readiness for surgery or therapy, and optimising physical health to prevent conditions from deteriorating during the waiting period.