Speaking at the Independent Health and Care Providers annual conference in Ballymena, the Minister stressed the importance of the statutory and independent sectors working in partnership to deliver health services.
The Minister said: “The Northern Ireland of the future will include an increasingly older population, with higher expectations about quality of care. As we move to meet these challenges of the future, the models of care from a previous generation simply won’t work.
“The shift away from traditional residential style of care towards more flexible and responsive care provided in people’s own homes and tailored to their individual needs is bound to continue.
“I am committed to working in partnership with the independent sector and I recognise the important role it plays in providing care to those who need it.”
Over 60% of people in receipt of intensive care packages are now having their needs met by the independent sector in nursing homes, residential care homes, supported housing and in their own homes.
Mr McGimpsey said: “Everyone should have some choice about how their care needs will be met. The message we have been receiving is that people want to live independently and safely in their own homes for as long as it is safe to do so. My submission to the Comprehensive Spending Review has identified the expansion of these services as a priority for future funding to ensure that older people have access to the appropriate, quality care they deserve.”
Notes to Editors:
- The Independent Health and Care Providers (IHCP) was established in 1998 and is the largest representative body of independent sector, nursing, residential care home and domiciliary care providers in Northern Ireland. The aim of the IHCP is to represent members who provide a range of services to older people and people with disabilities.
- The independent sector provides 100% of all nursing home care in Northern Ireland. It also provides around 75% of residential home care and 35% of domiciliary care. The independent sector includes private and voluntary providers. Membership of IHCP is drawn from across all three care settings and includes private and voluntary sector organisations.
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