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RCN welcomes Northern Ireland health service restructuring
Apr 1, 2005 - 5:19:00 PM, Reviewed by: Dr.
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"We are pleased to note that the review team has taken on board many of the recommendations made by the RCN in our original submission, particularly in relation to the accountability and governance arrangements for the new HPSS bodies. The RCN will be monitoring closely how these new arrangements are put into practice. It is vital that nurses, other health professionals and the wider public in Northern Ireland are able to have full confidence in the ability of the proposed new arrangements to deliver high quality health and social care."
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By RCN Northern Ireland,
Commenting on the publication of the long-awaited proposals for the Review of Public Administration in Northern Ireland, the Royal College of Nursing has welcomed the proposed streamlining of the health and social services outlined in the consultation document.
RCN Northern Ireland Board Chair Dorothea Bradley said: "We are pleased to note that the review team has taken on board many of the recommendations made by the RCN in our original submission, particularly in relation to the accountability and governance arrangements for the new HPSS bodies. The RCN will be monitoring closely how these new arrangements are put into practice. It is vital that nurses, other health professionals and the wider public in Northern Ireland are able to have full confidence in the ability of the proposed new arrangements to deliver high quality health and social care."
RCN Northern Ireland Director Martin Bradley added: "This review will have significant implications for our members. We will be working hard to ensure that their views on the proposed changes are taken into account by the government and that nursing is appropriately represented at a senior level within the new bodies and structures that will be created." 
- RCN Northern Ireland
The full report is available at www.rpa.ni.gov.uk.
The Review of Public Administration in Northern Ireland was published for a six month consultation on Tuesday 22 March 2005. In relation to the health and personal social services, the key recommendations are:
* Five HPSS bodies (covering Belfast plus the four current HSS Board areas) will replace the four HSS boards and 18 of the 19 trusts; the figure of five could be increased to achieve co-terminosity with the new local government structures
* Definition of under-lying principles for the HPSS, including focus on patient need, service efficiency, central role for primary care, clear accountabilities and integration of service commissioning and provision
* New Regional Forum (incorporating DHSSPS representation and the chief executives of new bodies and agencies) to advise on development of regional services, facilitate overall policy development and ensure resolution of cross-boundary service issues
* One regional service user body to replace the four current HSS Councils
* Boards of the new HPSS bodies to include district council nominees and representatives of primary care
* Review of the role and functions of Local Health and Social Care Groups (which currently commission primary care services) with reference to the new commissioning arrangements
* Management of services to be grouped around programmes of care
* Strong emphasis upon public/user engagement
* New bodies to be established within two years of implementation of review and in shadow form initially for 6-9 months
* HR steering group to be established as part of transitional arrangements (including representation from "recognised trades unions").
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