Future of health care is hot topic at Downshire meeting

Future of health care is hot topic at Downshire meeting

12 December 2012

THE Downshire Hospital’s Great Hall was the venue last week for the latest in a series of public consultation meetings about the future of health and social care services in Northern Ireland.

Major plans to set the direction of health and social care across the Province were issued for public consultation in October by Health Minister Edwin Poots in the Transforming Your Care document.

Dr. Nigel Campbell, chairman of the South Eastern Local Commissioning Group (LCG) who was at last week’s meeting in Downpatrick, said the document summarises the proposed changes.

He explained the various proposals focus on reshaping services in order to make best use of all available resources, ensuring that the services which are provided are safe, resilient and sustainable into the future.

Dr. Campbell said the South Eastern LCG would like to thank those who attended last week’s meeting in Downpatrick and others in Lisburn and Newtownards.

“The meetings were attended by many service users, carers, political, community, voluntary and union representatives, as well as staff who shared their views on a range of issues,” he continued.

“They included respite care, learning disability and mental health services, carers support, integrated care partnerships, staffing pressures and residential care.”

Dr. Campbell made it clear that at this point no decisions have been made and that the consultation is aimed at everyone.

“We all either use health and social care services, or are highly likely to do so in future. Indeed, people may be involved in providing health and social care services,” he said.

Dr. Campbell added: “The consultation process is still continuing and I would encourage everyone who has not yet done so to get involved in the debate and have their views on the proposals heard before the consultation ends on January 15.

“Getting involved in the process is simple. You can log onto the consultation website at www.tycconsultation.hscni.net and complete the online questionnaire or telephone (028) 9055 3970 to find out more about the consultation process.