Minister unveils twenty-year health strategy

Health Minister Angela Smith has unveiled plans for a new twenty-year Regional Strategy for Health and Wellbeing in Northern Ireland.

The Minister announced the plans during a major conference on ‘Future Trends and Challenges in Health and Social Care’ yesterday.

Acknowledging the progress that had been made in health and social care, the Minister said: “Compared with twenty years ago people are living longer both as a result of tackling the determinants of ill health and through the use of new medical technologies. The Health and Social Services are helping more people than ever, and increasingly in a way which allows people to take control of their own health and wellbeing and that of their community.

“But health and social care is changing and we are facing new challenges that will test services as never before. The aging population, rising costs of care and treatment, and changes in lifestyle and diet will all result in increased pressure on services in the years to come.

“If we are to provide the health and social services that the people of Northern Ireland need – and deserve – we have to start planning now. This is why a new long term vision and strategy is needed."

The Minister said the Strategy will contain a vision for the health and personal social services over the next twenty years as well as establishing priorities for future investment and identify the steps which need to be taken to achieve needed goals.

Stating that the consultation exercise for the Strategy was one of the most extensive ever undertaken by the Department, she added: “One of the great strengths of the Strategy is that it will combine the views and insights of members of the public and front line-staff with the very best advice from professionals and experts on health and social care.

“So far we have had a magnificent response to the consultation process and we will carefully consider all of the submissions made."

Among the speakers at yesterday's conference were Professor Ray Robinson, European Health Observatory, Dr Peter Colvin, Royal College of General Practice and Dr Angela Coulter, Picker Institute Europe.

(MB)