This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-37729603

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Bengoa review: Ambitious health care shake-up unveiled Bengoa review: Ambitious health care shake-up unveiled
(35 minutes later)
An ambitious plan to make Northern Ireland's health and social care system fit for the 21st Century has been unveiled.An ambitious plan to make Northern Ireland's health and social care system fit for the 21st Century has been unveiled.
Health Minister Michelle O'Neill said the 10-year plan would improve a system at "breaking point".Health Minister Michelle O'Neill said the 10-year plan would improve a system at "breaking point".
Its 18 time-specific action points are based on recommendations from a government-appointed panel.Its 18 time-specific action points are based on recommendations from a government-appointed panel.
Hospital closures are not mentioned, but services will have to meet criteria to prove they are viable, she said.Hospital closures are not mentioned, but services will have to meet criteria to prove they are viable, she said.
Opposition politicians have questioned the lack of details in the plan, which is not costed.Opposition politicians have questioned the lack of details in the plan, which is not costed.
'No quick fix''No quick fix'
Northern Ireland's health system had not changed quickly enough to meet the needs of an ageing population, and was unsustainable, Ms O'Neill told MLAs.Northern Ireland's health system had not changed quickly enough to meet the needs of an ageing population, and was unsustainable, Ms O'Neill told MLAs.
"If we continue as we are now, the system in 10 years would need 90% of the entire Executive budget.""If we continue as we are now, the system in 10 years would need 90% of the entire Executive budget."
The priorities outlined in her plan, Delivering Together, include:The priorities outlined in her plan, Delivering Together, include:
The minister said her plan did not offer "a quick fix".The minister said her plan did not offer "a quick fix".
"This change will be planned, managed, incremental - this is not a "Big Bang," she said."This change will be planned, managed, incremental - this is not a "Big Bang," she said.
Meaningful change would require time, money and the support of government, staff and those who use our health and social care services.Meaningful change would require time, money and the support of government, staff and those who use our health and social care services.
Mrs O'Neill said a plan to tackle waiting lists would be drawn up by early next year.Mrs O'Neill said a plan to tackle waiting lists would be drawn up by early next year.
Analysis: Chris Buckler, Ireland correspondent, BBC News
This is a report with recommendations. But they are broad in their ideas and their ambitions.
And certainly, at this stage, many are lacking in detail and questions remain on how they will be funded.
Read more here.
By spring, there would be investment to ensure every GP practice has a named district nurse, health visitor and social worker, she said.By spring, there would be investment to ensure every GP practice has a named district nurse, health visitor and social worker, she said.
Further support for looked-after children (those for whom the state has taken on parental responsibility) would be in place by late 2017, she added.Further support for looked-after children (those for whom the state has taken on parental responsibility) would be in place by late 2017, she added.
Michelle O'Neill said she was increasing the number of GP training places to 111. Next year, there would be 12 additional places, with 14 more the following year, she said.Michelle O'Neill said she was increasing the number of GP training places to 111. Next year, there would be 12 additional places, with 14 more the following year, she said.
First Minister Arlene Foster said the plan represented a challenge the Executive was going to meet head on.First Minister Arlene Foster said the plan represented a challenge the Executive was going to meet head on.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness added that change was required, and "the only question is whether it will happen in a controlled, planned fashion or unfold out of control".Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness added that change was required, and "the only question is whether it will happen in a controlled, planned fashion or unfold out of control".
But opposition MLAs criticised the proposals, with Ulster Unionist health spokesperson Jo-Anne Dobson questioning their lack of detail.But opposition MLAs criticised the proposals, with Ulster Unionist health spokesperson Jo-Anne Dobson questioning their lack of detail.
The SDLP's Mark H Durkan said a "spectre of doubt" hung over the plans, while TUV leader Jim Allister said they were merely "recycling of a great plethora of fine words".The SDLP's Mark H Durkan said a "spectre of doubt" hung over the plans, while TUV leader Jim Allister said they were merely "recycling of a great plethora of fine words".
'Ambitious, and wholly necessary''Ambitious, and wholly necessary'
A review into Northern Ireland's health service was commissioned by Stormont ministers seeking advice on how to improve services, cut waiting lists and care for an aging population. A review into Northern Ireland's health service was commissioned in January by Stormont ministers seeking advice on how to improve services, cut waiting lists and care for an aging population.
Professor Rafael Bengoa, chair of the expert panel behind the review, said Northern Ireland's health and social care system faced "a stark choice". Professor Rafael Bengoa, chair of the expert panel behind the review, said Northern Ireland faced "a stark choice".
"It can either resist change and see services deteriorate to the point of collapse over time, or embrace transformation and work to create a modern sustainable service that is properly equipped to help people stay as healthy as possible and to provide them with the right type of care when they need it," he said. "It can either resist change and see services deteriorate to the point of collapse over time, or embrace transformation and work to create a modern sustainable service," he said.
"We have tried to produce a report that will make a practical contribution to implementing change and which will support the minister's ambitious, and wholly necessary, roadmap to reform.
"Transformation will not be simple, but the panel has no doubt that Northern Ireland has both the people and the energy to deliver a world class health and care system.""Transformation will not be simple, but the panel has no doubt that Northern Ireland has both the people and the energy to deliver a world class health and care system."