Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Bairbre de Brún, has launched the report of the first phase of the Review of Community Care.

The Minister commissioned the Review of Community Care in March 2001. The first phase of the Review concentrated on the hospital-community interface and services to older people, and analysed the current state of community care service delivery. It identified areas in which improvements can be made and identified further work to be carried out in the future.

Commenting on the findings contained in the report Minister de Brún said: “The Review of Community Care has made considerable progress. The review team has been engaged in an extensive consultative process and has had discussions with a wide range of service users and providers across all Board areas.

“This has been a worthwhile exercise and the team has gathered a great deal of information about the current difficulties in delivering community care, and has learned about a wide range of innovative approaches and initiatives that have been or might be used to resolve identified problems.

“It is now appropriate that the findings of the review team are shared with everyone involved to ensure the valuable lessons learned can be used to shape future community care services.”

The Minister has already announced additional investment in community services to the sum of £19.1 million. It is envisaged that a substantial amount of this money will be targeted at the many new ideas emerging from the review.

Ms de Brún added: “I want to see real changes in community care practice on the ground which reflect the views of those consulted and which have an immediate and positive impact for the many people currently waiting for service.”

The report identifies the support of people who wish to remain at home for as long as possible as an immediate priority. It also highlights the need to ensure alternatives to hospital admission are more widely available within each local community, while at the same time ensuring that people who require hospital treatment are discharged safely back into their community with appropriate support and effective rehabilitation.

The recommendations of the report take into consideration recent developments in both Hospital and Primary care services recognising the need for all parts of the system and all Departments to work together to improve the health and well being of the entire community.

The Review Project Board is chaired by Mr Brian Coulter, Chief Executive of Fold Housing and Chair of the Eastern Health and Social Services Council.

(MB)