Proposals to dramatically change the way health and social services are delivered across NI have been given a guarded welcome by doctors.

Commenting on the report 'Transforming your care, a review of Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland', Dr Paul Darragh, Chairman of the BMA's Council in Northern Ireland said: "The BMA agrees that changes need to be made to our health and social care system to ensure that it remains effective under increasing demographic and financial pressures.

"We have repeatedly called for such change to be planned and managed, and for decision makers to listen to healthcare professionals to ensure that changes are workable and realistic.

"Many of the proposals contained within this report appear to be sensible in terms of putting the patient at the centre of care and of the need to tackle obesity, smoking and drinking, and health inequalities," he said.

"However, the next stage will be crucial. That is, how will these proposed changes be handled to ensure professional and public acceptance?"

Echoing these sentiments, GP Tom Black, Chairman of the BMA's GP Committee in Northern Ireland said: "The clear emphasis is on changing the centre of gravity of healthcare from secondary to primary care.

"GPs recognise they have a role to play but the challenge for primary care is how this change is managed.

"The proposed changes cannot take place without sufficient resources being put in place.

"General practice is already working to capacity with over 10.5 million consultations taking place per year, and will need investment in staff and facilities in order to meet an increased workload."

Dr Darragh concluded: "As doctors, we are looking forward to working with our colleagues across the profession to ensure that any change to our health service is practical and workable."

Yesterday, the Health Minister Edwin Poots said the review, by John Compton, is expected to be the biggest in recent years and has been forecast to be controversial and radical.

The report's view is that it is likely only to be possible to provide resilient, sustainable major acute services on five to seven sites.

This is one of the 99 recommendations - and the one most likely to trigger debate - as it means a huge reduction in the number of hospitals.

The review suggests the current number could be cut from 10 as early as 2016 leaving as few as five - at worst - by that time.

DUP Minister Edwin Poots said in the Assembly that 'Transforming Your Care, A Review of Health and Social Care' contains a compelling set of proposals for the future of health and social care services in Northern Ireland.

The report carried out by a team chaired by John Compton and advised by a panel of independent experts recommends that each Local Commissioning Groups should draw up specific proposals for hospitals in their areas that meet the principles and criteria laid down by the Review team.

"It proposes a model which puts the individual at the centre. Health and social care services will be increasingly accessible in local areas. Patients will have to deal with fewer professionals and will be at the centre of decision-making about their treatment," Minister Poots continued.

"There will be a significant shift from provision of services in hospitals to provision of services in the community, in the GP surgery, closer to home, where it is safe and effective to do this," he insisted.

(BMcC)