Health Minister marks new era for health and social care

Efficient and effective services and an improvement in health and well-being are key aims of important reforms that come into effect today.

The reforms include the establishment of the new Health and Social Care Board, the Public Health Agency, the Patient and Client Council and the Business Services Organisation. These organisations will streamline and replace a number of existing health and social care bodies.

This means that health and social care has now delivered its structural reform as part of the Review of Public Administration.

Commenting on the reforms the Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey said: “It is quite clear that in Northern Ireland, health is everyone’s number one priority. It is important therefore that we are fit for purpose to meet the ever-increasing demands and expectations of a growing population.

“The reforms that come into effect today will help us do just that. The new Health and Social Board, working with the Public Health Agency will work to address the needs of our population. It will also continue to drive up performance within health and social care and ensure people receive the safe, effective and efficient service they deserve. We must always strive to do better and the Board will make sure that our focus is always to improve.”

Turning to the Public Health Agency, the Minister said: “Our modern health and social care system must also focus on engaging people in their own health as well as looking after those who are ill. It is simply not acceptable that we have high levels of obesity, binge drinking, suicide and teenage pregnancy. Nor is it acceptable that life expectancy is still determined by where you are born and where you live. In my eyes everyone in Northern Ireland should be offered the same opportunities to a healthy life.

“The new Public Health Agency will therefore focus on improving and protecting health and well being. It will work in partnership with stakeholders, including local government, to get right into the heart of communities to improve the life chances for all and drive down demand on our health service so that we can sustain it for generations to come.”

In determining the reforms in health and social care, the Minister has always stated that patients, clients and carers are at the heart of the system. The Minister said: “It is vital that patients, clients and carers have a voice in the system and more importantly that they are heard. The Patient and Client Council not only provides for a strong local voice but a regional voice on the major issues of policy and strategy that was not possible under previous arrangements.”

Turning to the Business Services Organisation (BSO) the Minister stated: “The functions of the BSO are critical to the successful running of the health service. Its work stretches right into every hospital and community facility as they provide the crucial support functions to those who directly provide services to patients and clients.”

The organisations will be fully operational from today as they each hold their first Board meetings.

These structural changes mark the second phase of reform within health and social care. In April 2007, five new integrated Health and Social Care Trusts were created to replace 18 previous Trusts. The Ambulance Service remained unchanged.

Commenting on the period of reform, the Minister continued: “Health and Social Care should be rightly proud of leading and delivering on the RPA agenda. We have completed two phases of restructuring and streamlining and reduced the overall number of HSC bodies from 38 to 17. We will also deliver £53million annually in savings that can be directed back into front line services. But importantly, I believe we have delivered a structure that will make a real difference to the health and well-being of the people of Northern Ireland.

“I do not underestimate how unsettling this period of change has been for staff and I am extremely grateful for their continued dedication, co-operation and professionalism. I know that their commitment to provide a world class service will be the vital component in delivering the real change we all want to see.”

From today the functions of the Mental Health Commission will transfer to the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority. The NI Medical Regional Medical Physics Agency will also merge with the Belfast HSC Trust.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Review of Public Administration was launched by the Northern Ireland Executive in June 2002 to deliver wide-ranging modernisation and reform of health, education and local government.

2. The new streamlined organisations replace a number of previous Health and Social Care bodies. Their key functions are as follows:-

• The single Health and Social Care Board for Northern Ireland will replace the existing four Boards. It will focus on commissioning, resource management and performance management and improvement. It will identify and meet the needs of the local population through its five Local Commissioning Groups that will cover the same geographical area as the HSC Trusts. CHAIR – Dr Ian Clements and CEO – John Compton.
• The new Public Health Agency will incorporate and build on the work of the Health Promotion Agency, but will have much wider responsibility for health protection and screening and health improvement and development to improve overall public health and address existing health inequalities; CHAIR – Mary McMahon and CEO – Eddie Rooney.
• The new Business Services Organisation will provide a range of support functions for the whole of the health and social care system. The Central Services Agency will be dissolved and the majority of its services, along with other functions, will be undertaken by the new organisation; CHAIR – Alex Coleman and CEO – David Bingham.
• The single Patient and Client Council will replace the current Health and Social Services Councils, with five local offices operating in the same geographical areas as the existing Trusts, thus providing a strong voice for patients, clients and carers. CHAIR – John Keanie and CEO – Maeve Hully .

3. Press enquiries to Jenny Magill at the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 90520575 or 07833 668748 . Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440, and your call will be returned.