Public meeting on healthcare reform in Londonderry

Major plans to set the direction of health and social care in Northern Ireland were issued for public consultation, by Health and Social Care Minister Edwin Poots MLA, on October 9, 2012. Transforming Your Care: Vision to Action, the consultation document, summarises the changes proposed to Northern Ireland’s health and social care system.

A series of public consultation meetings have been set up across the Western area for members of the public to join the debate about future health and social care services.

Dr Brendan O’Hare, Chair of the Western Local Commissioning Group, said: “The consultation proposals focus on reshaping services in order to make best use of all available resources ensuring that the services which we provide to our population are safe, resilient and sustainable into the future.

“The Western LCG has set up these public meetings to engage with everyone who has a part to play in the design and delivery of health and social care services. The consultation period will run until 15 January 2013 during which time we wish to hear the views of members of the public who engage with health and social care either directly or through family and friends.”

A public consultation meeting will be held at 7.30pm at the Main Hall in Saint Columb’s Park House tomorrow night.

Paul Cavanagh, Western Commissioning Lead, encouraged local people, elected and community representatives, and, health and social care staff to engage in the debate and discussion: “We all use health and social care services or are likely to do so in the future.

“This consultation is aimed at involving members of the public, patients, service users, carers and communities, enabling them to share their views, concerns and hopes for the future delivery of services in the local area.

“Every household in Northern Ireland will receive a leaflet over the coming days with information on how to get involved and how to contribute views on the biggest change in health and social care delivery in a generation.”

Further information and a copy of the consultation document can be accessed at www.tycconsultation.hscni.net. Alternatively you can request a copy of the consultation document by email at [email protected] or by calling 028 9055 3790.

To find out more about the consultation visit the TYC Facebook page at facebook.com/tycconsultation or follow us on Twitter @tycconsultation.