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Northern Ireland health review calls for panel of experts to redesign some health facilities | |
(34 minutes later) | |
A review into Northern Ireland's health service recommends an international panel of experts is set up to redesign some health and social care facilities. | |
The review was led by the former chief medical officer of England, Sir Liam Donaldson. | |
He said politicians and the public would have to agree to the plan in advance to allow the health service to move forward. | |
The review makes a total of 10 recommendations. | |
Sir Liam was asked to look at just how effectively the Department of Health (NI) and the health trusts have been performing. | |
He has also reviewed the care of patients and management of staff. | He has also reviewed the care of patients and management of staff. |
Sir Liam said for a population of 1.8 million, there are too many hospitals in Northern Ireland which does not allow for the public to receive the best in health care. | |
The far-reaching report concludes that Northern Ireland's health system is no more or less safe than any other part of the UK. | |
However, it criticises the implementation of the Transforming Your Care programme, which he said required a "rocket buster" to implement it. | |
He also suggested that the Patient and Client Council needed to become independent from the health department in order to best represent the interests of patients. | |
On the issue of regulation, he recommended that the regulating body the RQIA, could be outsourced so it can make more of an impact. | |
The review was ordered in April last year by the then-health minister, Edwin Poots. | The review was ordered in April last year by the then-health minister, Edwin Poots. |
Sir Liam, once England's most senior doctor, led a team of experts. | Sir Liam, once England's most senior doctor, led a team of experts. |
His remit included examining whether the health service supports a culture of openness, learning and making amends. | His remit included examining whether the health service supports a culture of openness, learning and making amends. |
'Duplication' | 'Duplication' |
Last year's major incident at the Royal Victoria Hospital's Emergency department was a turning point in the local health service. | Last year's major incident at the Royal Victoria Hospital's Emergency department was a turning point in the local health service. |
It highlighted a system in crisis and that intervention was long overdue. | It highlighted a system in crisis and that intervention was long overdue. |
The regulators, the RQIA, published its own report and recommendations, as did the College of Emergency Medicine. | The regulators, the RQIA, published its own report and recommendations, as did the College of Emergency Medicine. |
However, what makes this review different from others is that it explores governance issues within the highest helm of the service - the department. | However, what makes this review different from others is that it explores governance issues within the highest helm of the service - the department. |
It also considers if there is unnecessary duplication between the department, the health board and the public agency. | It also considers if there is unnecessary duplication between the department, the health board and the public agency. |
Its remit was to investigate if these bodies could be operating more effectively. | Its remit was to investigate if these bodies could be operating more effectively. |
Some critics would argue that Northern Ireland does not need another review - instead, what is more critical for going forward is strong leadership. |