Minister announces the way forward for primary care

The Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Ms Bairbre de Brún, has announced plans for new primary care arrangements in Northern Ireland.

The new arrangements will mean the abolition of GP fundholding and the establishment of Local Health and Social Care Groups, which will involve general practitioners and other primary care professionals. They will work closely with Health and Social Services Boards, Trusts and local communities to assess needs at local level, as well as developing plans for improving the delivery of local health and social services. They will also be involved in decisions about the commissioning of health and social services.

The Minister said: "Setting up Local Health and Social Care Groups will be an important stepping stone in developing a primary care centred service for the future. The Groups will provide the means for primary care professionals to work together with local communities and with other agencies to improve the health of, and the delivery of services to, the populations they serve.

“The formidable task of establishing the new Groups and supporting them in determining their agenda for change should not be underestimated. However, I want them to start work quickly and will expect them to take on responsibility immediately for managing budgets for some services, for example prescribing and primary care services.

"I also expect them to develop the capacity to manage a delegated budget for commissioning some services by April 2003. Health and Social Services Boards will be given the job of fully supporting the establishment, development and operation of the new Groups, and will be held to account for their progress. It is my intention that Groups will progress to holding delegated budgets as quickly as they can demonstrate that they can competently manage this new responsibility."

"I believe the development of the new Groups should initially take place within the existing framework of health and social services structures so they operate within a clear legal and accountability framework. Moreover, I do not wish to create a number of new statutory bodies at this stage."

Ms de Brún concluded: "The implementation process will only be successful if those on the ground work together in the spirit of genuine partnership. All involved must have a real sense of ownership of the process and we will do all we can to ensure that this is the case."

(GB)