The consultation will be for 12 weeks and will close on 12 May 2008.
The key elements of the Minister’s proposals are:-
- A new Regional Health and Social Care Board that will focus on financial management, performance management and commissioning.
- A new multi-professional Regional Public Health Agency to create better inter-sectoral working to tackle health promotion and inequalities and help realise the shared goal of a better and healthier future for all.
- The establishment of five Local Commissioning Groups to cover the same geographical area of the five Health and Social Care Trusts.
- A smaller, more sharply focussed Department.
- A common services organisation that will provide a range of support function for the health and social care service.
- Reinforcing and strengthening the role of Health and Social Services Councils.
- Increased democratisation through local government representation on key bodies and improved partnership working.
Announcing the launch of the consultation to the Assembly, the Minister said: “Health and social care in Northern Ireland is changing. Our services must change if we are to meet the demands of an ever changing population, who rightly expect high quality services, delivered increasingly more in their own communities. We must be responsive to needs, with patients at the heart of everything we do.
“I believe the simpler, more streamlined structures I have announced will enable each of the organisations within our system to focus on their key functions for the benefit of every patient. They will be focussed, efficient and strive to continually drive up their performance, without compromise.
“Throughout this process, I was also clear, that unlike my Direct Rule predecessors, I would issue my proposals for a full public consultation and I am launching that consultation today. Today marks a unique opportunity for the public, their representatives, HSC staff, service users and all other key stakeholders to have their say and I look forward to hearing as many views as possible in taking forward these important reforms.”
The Minister concluded: “I would encourage all those with an interest in these issues to take part in the consultation. It is your knowledge and experiences that will help inform the consultation and ultimately help me in achieving my goal of establishing a world-class health service, fit for the 21st Century.”
Notes to Editors:
1. A full copy of the consultation document is available on the Departments website
.
Copies can also be obtained by contacting:-
Business Support Unit
Modernisation Directorate
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Room 1, Annexe 6
Castle Buildings
Stormont
Belfast
BT4 3SQ
Telephone: 028 9052 0656
Facsimile: 028 9052 3482
Email: hscreforms@dhsspsni.gov.uk
2. A copy of Minister's speech to assembly is available to download, please visit the DHSSPS website.
3. Press enquiries to Jenny Magill at the DHSSPS Press Office at 028 90520575 or mobile 078336 68748. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
