McGimpsey welcomes Health Secretary to Northern Ireland

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey today welcomed Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson MP, to Northern Ireland

Mr McGimpsey accompanied Mr Johnson on a visit to Saintfield Health Centre where they met members of the Integrated Primary Care Team and some of the patients benefitting from the service they provide.

Mr Johnson had expressed a particular interest in seeing examples of Northern Ireland’s integrated model of health and social care at work. In England, while healthcare is provided through the NHS, social care is provided through local authorities.

Mr McGimpsey said: “My department’s mission is to improve the health and social well-being of the people of Northern Ireland by ensuring the provision of appropriate health and social care services. This is done both in clinical settings such as hospitals and GP surgeries, and in the community through nursing, social work and other professional services.

“Our fully integrated health and social care system ensures greater co-operation between the various professional groups, meaning healthcare workers and social services have a joined-up approach to delivering treatment and care.

“The system, which is unique within the UK, also promotes collaboration across the various trust areas, and that integration is a factor in helping to support people in the community, helping them live as independently as possible for as long as possible.

“Integrated primary care teams are now an essential feature of primary care in Northern Ireland, and the team here in Saintfield are one of the best examples of how primary care teams should work. The practice has had real, quantifiable results in terms of fewer hospital admissions for patients, and reduced waiting times. They have shown how true partnership working can deliver real results for patients.”

They later visited Warren House Children’s Centre in Lisburn, where they met with a range of nursing, secondary care and social care staff providing integrated services to children and families.

Notes to Editors:

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