Minister outlines the importance of “Getting it Right.”

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Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has written to all health and social care staff to provide an update on structural changes for health.

The Minister had written to staff in the summer explaining that he wanted to give more thought to the changes being proposed under the Review of Public Administration and has now provided a further update, expressing the importance of ‘getting it right’.

Proposed RPA structures to stay

On considering proposed RPA structures, the Minister has confirmed that:-

  • The current trust structures of five Health and Social Care Trusts and the Ambulance Service will remain largely as they are, and
  • It is now unlikely that there will be any further changes to structures before April 2009, due to the requirements of the legislative timetable and the practical considerations around restructuring.

On providing the update, Michael McGimpsey commented,

"I felt at this stage that it was important for me to make it clear to staff, that as I take time to consider the structures of our future health and social care network, that we can all prepare and plan for the continuation of ‘business as usual’ next year.

"I understand that this delay in clarifying exactly what future change will look like is frustrating for staff but it is extremely important to get it right. Current structures have origins from some thirty years ago. Northern Ireland is a very different place now.

"I want to be sure that the changes I make will deliver the best outcome for the people of Northern Ireland now - health and social care structures that meet local needs."

Delivering an efficient and effective service

The Minister continued,

"I am absolutely clear that we must have a patient-led service, with a structure that enables us to deliver the most efficient and effective service possible. I know that organisational change alone will not deliver better outcomes for patients. That is always in the hands of the excellent staff who provide care day in, day out and to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude.

"I am therefore extremely grateful to all staff throughout the health and social care network for their patience in enabling me to fully consider the best approach for the future of health and social care, for the benefit of all the people we serve."


NICVA | Jonny Currie | 05 Nov 2007
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