Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Health to detail any steps that are being taken to enhance community care.
Minister of Health: A comprehensive programme of work is underway to reform adult social care in Northern Ireland, guided by a 10year Adult Social Care Strategic Plan and initial 3year Delivery Plan (2026-2029). Reform activity is being overseen by the Social Care Collaborative Reform Board, which is led by the Department of Health.
The Strategic and Delivery Plans are built around six strategic priorities: Individual Choice – the Citizen at the Heart; Supporting Unpaid Carers; Prevention and Early Intervention; the Centrality of Home; a Valued Workforce; and Sustainable System Building. Together, these priorities are driving a shift towards more preventative, personcentred and communitybased models of care, with a strong emphasis on supporting people to live independently at home for longer, strengthening community services, valuing and growing the social care workforce, and ensuring services are sustainable and joinedup. A number of cross-sectoral Implementation Groups – aligned to the six strategic priorities – have been established to support implementation of the Plans.
ENDS
Your MLA 