"So kind and caring"

Dear Steph,

My name is Oisin Martin. I am the Interim Assistant Director for Child Health Development and Emotional Wellbeing in the Northern Trust.

I am contacting you in relation to your recent post on Care Opinion in which you had shared your positive experiences of the services on offer from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

We are acutely aware of the long waiting lists underpinning the delivery of services in this complex area and of the impact upon young people and their families consigned to spending lengthy periods of time waiting for services. We have given careful thought as to how we might be able to provide some support for parents and young people waiting for assessments and had introduced the telephone helpline service approximately two years ago.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to offer some feedback in relation to your recent experiences. Whilst we continue to focus upon developing strategies to reduce waiting lists it is particularly valuable for us to hear from parents and children about those measures and approaches which are experienced as helpful on a meaningful level. This feedback is vital as it will inform our continuing efforts to provide high quality care, support and assessment within the context of the challenges faced by the Health and Social Care community at this time.

I will also ensure that your positive experiences are shared with the service and know that my colleagues will take heart and encouragement from such sincere and positive feedback.

Thank you once again for taking the time to share your experiences with the ASD service through Care Opinion.

Dr Oisin Martin

Assistant Director

Child Health, Development and Emotional Wellbeing, NHSCT.