News Release Page Title

11 January 2007

GOGGINS PAVES THE WAY FOR LOCAL COMMISSIONING

Plans to give local communities more influence over their health and social care services took another step forward today.

The Minister for Health and Social Services Paul Goggins has announced that he is setting up a joint committee to prepare for local commissioning. The joint committee will include representatives from the four existing health and social services boards with a chairperson appointed by the Department.

Speaking following a consultation exercise on the legislation required to establish the joint committee Paul Goggins said: "I believe that the new joint committee is another important step in ensuring that health and social care in Northern Ireland is tailor-made for local communities. The new arrangements will enable professionals across the health and social care sector to work together to deliver real and tangible change for their communities."

He added: "I am grateful to all those who took the time to respond to the consultation exercise. It has been extremely encouraging to see the feedback received on the proposals."

Commenting further, the Minister said: "The joint committee’s main task will be to speed up the move to a new, improved way of working where local groups commission local services in a way that best fits the needs of patients and clients. Local health and social care professionals will play a leading role in planning and buying services that are responsive to the needs of the local community."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. In November 2005, the Government announced the new organisational structures for health and personal social services in Northern Ireland.

  2. The public was invited to comment on draft proposals for a statutory joint committee for Commissioning health and social services in a consultation exercise which ran from 6 October until 1 December 2006.

  3. Responses to the consultation exercise are available on the Department’s website: www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/hss/rpa-home/rpa-draft-joint-committee-responses.htm

  4. Media enquiries to Áine Gaughran DHSSPS Press Office 028 9052 0074.

    Click here to print this press release.