O’Neill launches 10-year vision to reform health service
Health Minister Michelle O’Neill has launched her 10-year vision to transform the current health and social care system in Northern Ireland.
The Stormont blueprint is the response to an independent analysis of the struggling system by a panel of experts.
Describing the current health system as being at "breaking point", Health Minister Michelle O'Neill stressed the need for radical change.
Hospital closures are not envisaged in the action plan, but there will be a reconfiguration of the services provided by the network of existing facilities.
The Health and Wellbeing 2016: Delivering Together document is short on definitive targets and detailed goals, and is not costed.
Key aims include:
Moving away from hospital-centred care to a more integrated model
Moving towards concentrating specialised procedures on a smaller number of sites dealing with a higher volume of patients
Increasing the emphasis on prediction, prevention and health promotion, rather than ‘reactive’ care
Providing a structure for better patient engagement
Investing in and building capacity of networks of existing health and social care providers
Investing in eHealth to support improved self-management, care at home and use of information
Mrs O'Neill said it was crucial to redesign the system in conjunction with health service workers and patients, with agreed actions only materialising after that engagement is conducted.
One of the more short-term objectives is the formulation of a plan by January to tackle lengthy waiting lists.
The plan emphasises the need to improve the health of the wider population with preventative steps and also to provide more care away from acute hospital settings.
Criteria will be developed to determine how to redesign the delivery of specific services such as stroke, diabetes and pathology. Five services will be examined each year of the plan.
Mrs O'Neill said consensus on the Stormont Executive on the need for a major overhaul had presented the opportunity for a "fresh start".
"This change will be planned, managed, incremental - this is not a 'Big Bang'," she explained.
"Meaningful change does not happen overnight - this will take time, money and the support of staff, those who use our health and social care services as well as the support of Government."
Minister O'Neill continued: "I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of all those working in the service; the depth of their commitment and compassion continues to astound me. Thank you for all that you do to improve the health and well-being of those who live in the north.
"That being said, the system itself is at breaking point. We face a number of challenges, not least demographic changes and considerable health inequalities which continue to persist. The way services are organised is constraining transformation and our ability to provide high-quality services."
She added: "My vision also sets out a series of actions I will lead within the next 12 months to start the journey of transformation.
"I recognise the pressure that our system is under and it is important that we start now."
Professor Rafael Bengoa, Chair of the Expert Panel whose report has set out the case for change, said his team have attempted to make a practical contribution to implementing change which will support the Health Minister’s road map to reform.
“Transformation will not be simple, but the Panel has no doubt that Northern Ireland has both the people and the energy to deliver a world class health and care system,” he commented.