Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Health whether any conflicts have been identified between (i) the October 2024 consultation Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes; and (ii) the Northern Health and Social Care Trust Corporate Plan 2024-25 – 2027-28.
Minister of Health: ‘Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes’ is intended as a high-level strategic framework within which decisions on specific services can be made by individual Health and Social Care Trusts. The Health and Social Care Trusts were instrumental in developing the consultation document, indeed the content was co-produced with the Trusts and overseen by a task & finish group which involved the Trust Chief Executives.
I do not believe that there are any conflicts between ‘Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes’ and the Northern Health and Social Care Trust Corporate Plan 2024-25 – 2027-28. For example, both documents are clear in setting out the ambition to make Causeway Hospital an elective and diagnostic hub and to expand same day emergency care. Both documents are also consistent in reaffirming that a 24/7 Emergency Department is to be maintained at Causeway Hospital.
I encourage any feedback in response to the consultation, including where there is any perceived conflict with other documents.
ENDS
Your MLA 