05/12/2002
Government pledges modernisation of NI health service
Northern Ireland Health Minister Des Browne has set out proposals for a "substantial programme" of work to modernise health services in the province.
Addressing health service chiefs at Hillsborough Castle on Wednesday, the Minister said the practices of the past must be brought up to date.
He said: "This will be better for everyone – better service to the public, better working conditions for staff and better value for money for the taxpayer."
Mr Browne said he would be looking to chairmen and chief executives to take the lead in addressing these issues, modernisation would not happen by itself, and he said "proper leadership and the determination" would be needed.
Regarding the 'Developing Better Services' document, Mr Browne said: “I fully endorse the view that it is essential to reorganise acute hospital services. The consultation process has now been completed. There are some important issues to be resolved and I hope to be able to take decisions by the end of January."
While he was aware that the prospect of restructuring gave rise to concerns, Mr Browne said future structures needed to maximise the contribution of staff and managers, and he called for the change process to be "properly managed" to address these concerns.
Mr Browne said he had approved work on the development of a new Regional Strategy, adding: “This strategy will set out a long-term vision for health, social services and public safety. It will establish priorities for future investment and identify the steps to be taken to achieve the vision."
That work, he said, could not be delivered by the health department alone, and would require input from both senior health management and other organisations.
In particular, the minister said, he wanted to hear the views of representative groups and voluntary organisations so that, "together, we can create a vibrant and relevant approach".
(SP)
Addressing health service chiefs at Hillsborough Castle on Wednesday, the Minister said the practices of the past must be brought up to date.
He said: "This will be better for everyone – better service to the public, better working conditions for staff and better value for money for the taxpayer."
Mr Browne said he would be looking to chairmen and chief executives to take the lead in addressing these issues, modernisation would not happen by itself, and he said "proper leadership and the determination" would be needed.
Regarding the 'Developing Better Services' document, Mr Browne said: “I fully endorse the view that it is essential to reorganise acute hospital services. The consultation process has now been completed. There are some important issues to be resolved and I hope to be able to take decisions by the end of January."
While he was aware that the prospect of restructuring gave rise to concerns, Mr Browne said future structures needed to maximise the contribution of staff and managers, and he called for the change process to be "properly managed" to address these concerns.
Mr Browne said he had approved work on the development of a new Regional Strategy, adding: “This strategy will set out a long-term vision for health, social services and public safety. It will establish priorities for future investment and identify the steps to be taken to achieve the vision."
That work, he said, could not be delivered by the health department alone, and would require input from both senior health management and other organisations.
In particular, the minister said, he wanted to hear the views of representative groups and voluntary organisations so that, "together, we can create a vibrant and relevant approach".
(SP)
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The government has launched its 'Priorities for Action' document – a "rigorous monitoring" of health service's goals and objectives for the coming year. The document provides what the government describes as a "transparent agenda" of guidelines for targeting the resources that have been made available for health and social care in the budget.
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The government has launched its 'Priorities for Action' document – a "rigorous monitoring" of health service's goals and objectives for the coming year. The document provides what the government describes as a "transparent agenda" of guidelines for targeting the resources that have been made available for health and social care in the budget.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.