Menu
11/03/2003
Primary care must be strengthened says Browne
The role of primary care has to be strengthened and expanded, NIO Health Minister Des Browne has told delegates at the ‘Primary Care-Moving Forward’ conference in Armagh today.
The conference was organised to enable members of the newly formed Local Health and Social Care Groups to come together to pool their knowledge and information and to exchange ideas for improving local health and social services.
Speaking at a conference in Armagh the Minister said: “Primary care must be central to the way in which our health and social services will work in the years ahead.”
Following the end of the GP Fund holding Scheme, 15 Local Health and Social Care Groups were formally established at the end of June 2002 with membership drawn from primary care professions, community and service users as well as Health and Social Service Boards and Trusts. The groups are intended to operate as Committees of Health and Social Services Boards and represent natural communities covering populations ranging between 60,000 to 200,000.
In praising those involved in the 15 new groups, the Minister said: “Local Health and Social Care Groups are an important step towards a more inclusive and integrated system for the planning, commissioning and delivery of services. I believe they provide an ideal forum for co-operation and partnership.
“I will do my best to ensure that the groups are given sufficient time and resources to meet the new challenges posed by taking on commissioning, clinical and social care governance and building a stronger primary care infrastructure in Northern Ireland.”
At present GPs are refusing to participate in the groups because of their concerns about the structure, composition and funding arrangements. The Minister met with GP representatives on January 15 to discuss their concerns and further discussions are to take place with departmental officials on March 21.
Commenting on the GP's boycott, the Minister said: “I hope GPs will recognise that Local Health and Social Care Groups can deliver improvements for their patients and that they will join with the rest of the primary care professionals to help make it happen.”
(GMcG)
The conference was organised to enable members of the newly formed Local Health and Social Care Groups to come together to pool their knowledge and information and to exchange ideas for improving local health and social services.
Speaking at a conference in Armagh the Minister said: “Primary care must be central to the way in which our health and social services will work in the years ahead.”
Following the end of the GP Fund holding Scheme, 15 Local Health and Social Care Groups were formally established at the end of June 2002 with membership drawn from primary care professions, community and service users as well as Health and Social Service Boards and Trusts. The groups are intended to operate as Committees of Health and Social Services Boards and represent natural communities covering populations ranging between 60,000 to 200,000.
In praising those involved in the 15 new groups, the Minister said: “Local Health and Social Care Groups are an important step towards a more inclusive and integrated system for the planning, commissioning and delivery of services. I believe they provide an ideal forum for co-operation and partnership.
“I will do my best to ensure that the groups are given sufficient time and resources to meet the new challenges posed by taking on commissioning, clinical and social care governance and building a stronger primary care infrastructure in Northern Ireland.”
At present GPs are refusing to participate in the groups because of their concerns about the structure, composition and funding arrangements. The Minister met with GP representatives on January 15 to discuss their concerns and further discussions are to take place with departmental officials on March 21.
Commenting on the GP's boycott, the Minister said: “I hope GPs will recognise that Local Health and Social Care Groups can deliver improvements for their patients and that they will join with the rest of the primary care professionals to help make it happen.”
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 November 2024
Roads Service Ready For Winter Weather
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has confirmed that the Department's winter service team is prepared to tackle the current cold snap. Around 300 staff and 130 gritters are ready to salt main roads, while 12 snow blowers are available for deployment if necessary. To ensure a comprehensive winter service, the Department has allocated £3.
Roads Service Ready For Winter Weather
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has confirmed that the Department's winter service team is prepared to tackle the current cold snap. Around 300 staff and 130 gritters are ready to salt main roads, while 12 snow blowers are available for deployment if necessary. To ensure a comprehensive winter service, the Department has allocated £3.
23 November 2023
Adult Social Care Hampered By 'Stop-Start Ransom Politics'
The Alliance Party has said that much needed essential reforms of NI's adult social care system have been hampered by "stop-start ransom politics".
Adult Social Care Hampered By 'Stop-Start Ransom Politics'
The Alliance Party has said that much needed essential reforms of NI's adult social care system have been hampered by "stop-start ransom politics".
11 April 2013
£40m Health Care Centres Announced For NI
Two new £40m health care centres for Northern Ireland have been given the go-ahead. The new Lisburn and Newry facilities will accommodate GPs as well as a number of community services provided by the Trusts.
£40m Health Care Centres Announced For NI
Two new £40m health care centres for Northern Ireland have been given the go-ahead. The new Lisburn and Newry facilities will accommodate GPs as well as a number of community services provided by the Trusts.
14 September 2012
Cancer Patients Missing Out On NI Treatment Targets
Cancer patients across Northern Ireland are starting treatment late as health trusts fail on basic performance standards, it has emerged. Last April, the health minister said 95% of people who were urgently referred with suspected cancer should begin treatment within 62 days.
Cancer Patients Missing Out On NI Treatment Targets
Cancer patients across Northern Ireland are starting treatment late as health trusts fail on basic performance standards, it has emerged. Last April, the health minister said 95% of people who were urgently referred with suspected cancer should begin treatment within 62 days.
14 December 2001
Primary Health care arrangements ‘progressing well’
The Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety Bairbre de Brún has said she is encouraged by the progress so far to establish the new arrangements for primary care.
Primary Health care arrangements ‘progressing well’
The Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety Bairbre de Brún has said she is encouraged by the progress so far to establish the new arrangements for primary care.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Scattered sleet and snow showers will turn increasingly heavy and more frequent in the afternoon across the north. Largely dry with sunny spells in the south, but showers spreading here towards the end of the day. Maximum temperature 4 °C.Tonight:Frequent, often heavy showers of rain, sleet and snow will affect most parts this evening and overnight, but are likely to be most frequent across the northeast. Minimum temperature -1 °C.
