UK. Northern Ireland vision for health and social services

Citation

(2003), "UK. Northern Ireland vision for health and social services", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 16 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2003.06216bab.008

UK. Northern Ireland vision for health and social services

Northern Ireland vision for health and social servicesKeywords: Social services, Strategies

In December a consultation document on the development of a new strategy, which will set out a long-term future for the health and personal social services, was launched by Des Browne, the Minister responsible for Health, Social Services and Public Safety. The Minister said: "The new strategy will suggest a vision for the health and personal social services over the next 20 years. It will also establish priorities for future investment and identify the steps which will have to be taken to achieve the vision."

"In launching the consultation document, I am signalling my commitment to developing a new strategy for health and social well-being and carrying on from earlier work initiated and agreed by Bairbre de Brún."

"We need to build upon the important initiatives and investments designed to develop parts of the service over recent years."

Acknowledging the vital work carried out by the HPSS, the Minister went on to say that the health and social services had delivered major achievements in the face of rapidly growing demands and finite resources, citing dramatic improvements in recent years in infant mortality and substantial increases in the number of people being supported by care packages. However, he also acknowledged that there were serious challenges for those delivering services. Waiting lists remained unacceptably long and there were real difficulties in recruiting key staff. He said there were no quick or easy answers to these problems but he was convinced that a new coherent 20 year strategy would offer a route map to a more effective service, better able to face these challenges. One of the reasons for his confidence in the new strategy was the extent to which members of the public, front-line staff and voluntary and community groups will be involved in its development.

Further information: the document is also available through the DHSSPS Web site at www.dhsspsni.gov.uk The closing date for responses to the consultation document is the 28 March 2003.