Health and social care reforms update

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Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has introduced legislation into the Assembly to bring about important reforms within health and social care. The Health and Social Care (Reform) Bill, which had its First Reading in the Assembly on 23 June, sets out the legislative framework for new structural reforms.

Among the key elements contained within the Bill are the establishment of:

  • A single Regional Health and Social Care Board to replace the existing four Health and Social Services Boards that will focus on commissioning, resource management and performance management and improvement;
  • A Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Well-being that will subsume and build on the work of the Health Promotion Agency but will have much wider responsibility for health protection, health improvement and development to address existing health inequalities and public health issues for all the people of Northern Ireland;
  • A Regional Support Services Organisation to provide a range of support functions for the whole of health and social care that will also subsume the majority of services currently provided by the Central Services Agency; and
  • A single Patient and Client Council to replace the current Health and Social Services Councils with five local offices operating in the same geographical areas as the existing Trusts, to provide a strong voice for patients, clients and carers.

The Bill also provides for the dissolution of the Mental Health Commission and the transfer of its functions to the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority.

Speaking after introducing the Bill in the Assembly, Michael McGimpsey said:

When I took up post last year, one of the great challenges facing me was how to reform and modernise our health and social care system so that it was truly fit for the twenty-first century. The Bill I have introduced today is a substantial piece of legislation, which I believe will create a simpler and stronger structure for health and social care in Northern Ireland.

“Our health and social care system is changing and I am confident that the provisions in this Bill will bring real benefits to health and social care professionals, patients, clients and carers alike. Health and social care will become more efficient, more patient and client centred and more focussed on prevention and community based care as we move away from an over reliance on hospitals and institutional-based care.”


The structural proposals that the Minister outlined in February, have been further refined as a result of a widespread 12 week public consultation. This took place from 18 February 2008 – 12 May 2008. During this time the Minister met personally with a wide range of stakeholders including health and social care staff, community and voluntary organisations including substantial representation from Section 75 and minority groups, local government representatives and the Assembly Health Committee.

The Minister said:

I was extremely encouraged to have received over 200 responses to the consultation and want to thank everyone for taking the time to contribute. I also took the opportunity to meet with a wide range of stakeholders, including health and social care organisations and the voluntary and community sector, to hear their views first hand and I found this process extremely valuable. I was particularly impressed by the quality and detail of many of these responses which have been extremely helpful in informing my final decisions.”


It is anticipated that the Bill will have its Second Reading in the Assembly on Tuesday 1 July.

A copy of the Bill can be found on the Assembly website at http://www.niassembly.gov.uk.







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