Unique health employment partnership creates jobs - McGimpsey

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has welcomed an innovative partnership approach to tackling disadvantage through building sustainable employment.

The Health Minister addressed a conference at Unison Headquarters, Belfast, hosted by the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Health Employment Partnership (WBGS HEP), to mark the achievements of a unique Health Employment Partnership.

Mr McGimpsey said: “This Partnership aims to demonstrate that the Health Sector, community groups and UNISON can make a substantial contribution towards regeneration in West Belfast and Greater Shankill by addressing issues of unemployment and limited job progression opportunities.

“People are the health and social care service’s most important resource. Since the development of this partnership, 137 people have gained employment in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, 65 of whom were long term unemployed.

“Existing staff have enjoyed career progression and access to learning and development opportunities which previously may have been unavailable. This project is an excellent example of partnership working.

The Minister concluded: "Initiatives such as this can only benefit service provision by widening access to employment and offering development opportunities to those who directly provide that service.”

The conference also launched the WBGS HEP DVD, a presentation of the work of the partnership.

Notes to Editors:

1. In June 2009, the WBGS HEP won 1st place for Excellence in Partnership Working at a National Award Ceremony in London. It was the only project from NI to be shortlisted for the award and judges praised the project as truly ambitious and one which linked community with business at a fundamental level.

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