Proposals for a new public health and social well-being agency were debated in the Assembly today and received an overwhelmingly positive response from the majority of members. The consideration stage of the Health and Social Care Reform Bill finished today, completing a significant step to final approval.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: “Tackling health inequalities in Northern Ireland is a major challenge and it is essential that everyone in Northern Ireland has the same opportunity to a healthy life.
“It is reassuring that the majority of Assembly, except for two members, supported this proposal which is putting public health at the centre of health and social care services. However, I was deeply disappointed to hear opposition to the plans to address the serious health problems which our society is facing.
“Northern Ireland has increasing rates of suicide, one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe, high levels of obesity, smoking related deaths and binge drinking. It is a fact that people living in deprived areas are more likely to live in poor housing, to be unemployed and have lower educational attainment, are more likely to suffer ill health and sadly, an earlier death.
“For anyone to deny people the chance to break free from the health problems associated with poverty and deprivation is a disgrace. We all have a responsibility to address the serious health issues which are rife in Northern Ireland.”
Turning to claims that the new agency would create another level of bureaucracy the Minister said: “There will be no increase in bureaucracy. The agency will have around 250– 300 staff bringing together those people who are already doing this work in the trusts, boards and to work as one, addressing the public health challenges with renewed focus through a coordinated approach.
“I have consistently said that under the Review of Public Administration reforms I will achieve savings in administration of £53million per annum. These savings will be achieved.
“What we need to understand is that investment in health is investment in the wealth of the population and in the Northern Ireland economy. The establishment of a Regional Agency will allow us to become more pro-active in relation to the health and social well-being of people in Northern Ireland. The Agency’s dedicated focus on the prevention of illness will ultimately reduce the ever-increasing demand for the resources we currently have to spend on the treatment of illness and therefore enable us to sustain a health service for generations to come.”
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