02/04/2007

Northern Ireland health trusts merge

The number of Northern Ireland health trusts has been reduced from 18 to five in a massive shake up.

The new bodies will now be known as the Northern, Southern, Western, South Eastern and Belfast trusts under changes brought in as part of the Review of Public Administration (RPA).

The overhaul is the first of any government department under the RPA and will provide most of the specialist services available in Northern Ireland.

Norma Evans, Chief Executive of the Northern Trust said around 300 staff would be affected by the changes, however she added they would most likely be veterans who were happy to leave.

“We will have a single director who will be responsible for care, whether that be domiciliary care or intensive care,” she said.

“It should be possible for us to make this markedly simpler for patients, more responsive and the aim will be to deliver better services for health.”

The Trust, which has 22,000 members of staff will serve 340,000 and spend £3 million per day. It is also now one of the biggest local health and care organisations in Europe.

(JM/SP)

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